James Michael Hill

1964 - 2024

James Michael Hill

February 5, 1964 - May 2, 2024

Overland Park, Kansas - James Michael Hill passed away suddenly while doing something he loved, taking his daily morning run. Jim was born on February 5, 1964 in Overland Park, KS, the city where this country boy lived all the days of his life.

He is preceded in death by his father, Fred L. Hill.

Jim was a graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School and was involved in sports growing up, playing football and baseball. He was a proud member of the Hillcrest Hawks football team in junior high. Jim was an Eagle Scout.

Jim had a 32-year career with General Motors. He worked hard and was able to retire at 50 years old. He thoroughly enjoyed his 10 years of retirement with more hobbies than time.

It is hard to say which hobby was his favorite use of time. He was passionate about pheasant and quail hunting, learning at an early age on his Grandparents Hill farm in Hamilton, Mo. He was so generous in taking the time to take and teach two of his nephews, Jack and Beau, as well as step Grandson Devin, to hunt. He had so much joy in recent years hunting with his beloved Llewellin Setter, Jennie.

Jim was a runner and took nearly daily 5 mile runs. He proudly completed two half marathons, one in 2018 with his sister Kelly and nephew Jack crossing the finish line all together.

An avid fisherman, Jim traveled far and wide to fish. He fished with his Dad, brother Doug and brother in-law Keith in Canada. He also traveled to North Dakota, Minnesota and Missouri, but his heart loved Milford Lake in Kansas the most. He caught and cleaned thousands of crappie which he shared with family and friends. He was more than enthusiastic about crappie fishing and could talk for hours in detail if he found an ear to listen.

Jim's passion for Morel mushroom hunting is legendary. Every spring life stopped and all that mattered was finding the morels. He worked at finding "the spots", climbing fences, crossing the Kansas River on a kayak, crawling through brush, coming across snakes, but nothing would stop him. He was always generous to give the precious Morels to family and friends, sharing the love he found in foraging. If only we knew where all of his spots are!

Jim loved to be outdoors and was completely respectful of the environment, always doing what would protect and preserve it.

Jim met his wife, Sheri, in 2003 while both were shopping at the Hallmark Store. He was definitely immediately interested and passionate about Sheri. They had a wonderful and loving marriage of 10 years. Sheri was Jim's best friend and a wonderful listener. He cherished his marriage and was a fantastic husband. Sheri was the best thing that ever happened to Jim Hill.

The Hill siblings are a close-knit group. He was always looking for ways to spend time with his brother and sisters. Even one time challenging his sister, Julie, to apply and work with him at GM. She took the challenge, and they worked side by side for six months completely bonding over the experience.

Jim loved his family, and they loved him. He was a son, husband, brother, Uncle, JimPa and he was the best you could ask of a person.

Jim had many friends and neighbors he adored. He was especially comforted by his lifelong friendship with Rees Meisner.

Jim's enthusiasm for life was infectious. He was interested in everyone and everything, which, in turn, made him interesting and most importantly, a friend to all he met.

He is survived by his wife, Sheri Hill; his dear mother, Joan Hill; siblings, Doug Hill (Barbara), Julie Mangile (Keith), Kelly Stuckey (John); nieces and nephews, Dana Allison-Hill (David), Dr. Ricky Hill, Travis McWhorter, Kelly Campain, Jack Stuckey, Beau Stuckey; stepchildren, Stacey White (Mark), Chad Gasper (Charlotte); step grandchildren, Devin Gasper, Alexis White, Patrick White, August Ponte/Wessel; step Great Granddaughter Alina June Wessel.

A celebration of life will be planned with the date to be shared on family members social media pages and by text messages.

Jim loved to fish, hunt, run, forage, laugh, tell and listen to stories. We will hold him with us when we do the same. FISH ON Jim!