JAMES EDWARD WALLER

1937 - 2016

James Edward Waller, "Papa Jim," passed away May 9, 2016, at the age of 78. Jim was a man of strong will, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Jim was born Nov. 19, 1937, in Sedalia, Mo., to Otis and Viola Waller. He was the eldest of two boys, and was predeceased by his parents and his brother Jon. He graduated from Smith Cotton High School and Central Missouri State University where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He was a sharp shooter in the National Guard. He began his career as a certified public account with Haskins & Sells. He was later named controller and then president of Coca Cola Bottling Company of Mid-America by his mentor, Robert W. Wagstaff. He served on the Board of Kansas National Bank and also was a member of the Civic Council of Kansas City, Mo. In 1991, Jim married Kathy Mitchelson at their home at the Lake of the Ozarks. After a rewarding career with Coca-Cola he pursued his passion for the lake and boating by purchasing Broken Arrow Marina. He spent many hours having fun on the water and making sure that his kids and grandkids created many happy memories together. He was a member of the La Quinta Country Club in California, where he served as its treasurer for two years. In his later years he developed a strong interest in computer programming and spent many hours walking and playing golf. He leaves behind his wife, Kathy of the home; daughter, Buckie and husband Frazier Bell, their children Elizabeth Egerstrom and her fiance Chris Rollings, Andy Egerstrom and Haley Bell; his daughter, Jamianne and her husband Doug Patterson, their children Ruby and Luke. He also leaves behind his step-son, Mike Mitchelson and his children Cole, Maura Kate and Meryl and his step-daughter, Leslie and her husband Scott Blair, their children Anna, Brooke, Cooper and Mitchell. Service will be 3 p.m. Friday, May 13, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64114. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be left at mcgilleystatelinechapel.com Arr.: McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145 (816) 942-6180. McGilley State Line Chapel, Dignity Memorial