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James Kenny Obituary
September 4, 1947 - January 5, 2024
Raytown, Missouri - James (Jim) Edward Kenny, 76, passed away peacefully Jan. 5, surrounded by his family.
Born in 1947, Jim was known for his sharp wit and love for dad jokes. A favorite of his: "Give me a bowl of turtle soup, and make it snappy!" His humor brought joy to all who knew him.
Jim graduated from Southwest High School and overcame his initial disinterest in school to earn his bachelor's degree from Avila University and a master's degree in education from Webster University. He served in the Air Force, attaining the rank of sergeant and skillfully utilizing his left-handedness to write backwards on radar screens at Murphy Radar Dome in Alaska. Jim met his wife, Gayle (Shawgo), while substituting at the school where she taught. They met on the playground while their classes played against each other in kickball. Jim and Gayle shared 45 years of marriage, filled with love, travel, and laughter. Together, they raised two sons, Nicholas James and Brendan Edward, passing on his sense of humor and love for storytelling. He taught in the Hickman Mills School District for 26 years and at St. Thomas More for seven years, impacting countless lives through his dedication to education.
An enthusiast of gadgets, classic cinema, and crime shows, Jim also enjoyed fishing and reading expressively to children. His special bond with his grand-dog, Rosa, often involved sneaking her bacon.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick Joseph and Helen Lee; and brothers Joe, Bill, and Bob. He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle; sons, Nick (and wife Shannan) and Brendan; siblings Danny, Larry, and Loretta Stevens; and cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Friday, April 12th from 4-6 PM at Saint Thomas More Hall in Kansas City. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Veterans Community Project of Kansas City or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Finally, we would like to thank the wonderful staff at Centerpoint Hospital in Independence and Raytown EMS for the compassionate and professional care and attention Jim received.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries
Virginia Geraci
January 15, 2024
Gayle, I am so sorry to hear about Jim. I loved teaching 6th grade with him at Truman. I saw him several times at St. Thomas More also. We also took a class or two together and we always had to stop at White Castle even though I begged him to stop elsewhere.
Serena Bagwill Smith
January 14, 2024
I remember "Mr. Kenny" as a beloved teacher at Truman Elementary, and later as a mentor and colleague at Santa Fe Elementary. When he retired, he gifted me a lava lamp that I still have. I never saw him be anything but kind and a compassionate teacher.
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