JAMES WU

James Wu, longtime resident of Naples, and formerly of Leawood, Kan., passed away on April 24, 2010. Jim, 78, a leap year baby, often joked he was only 19 and a 1/2 years old. Jim graduated from University of Connecticut and received his M.B.A. from New York University. He began as a CPA at Touche Ross (NYC) and became CFO at Parkview Gem (Kansas City). After retiring at Drexel, Burnham, & Lambert Investments, Jim declared himself a "ski bum". Jim was a Korean War veteran, proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps. He was active with the Naples Marine Corps League and served on the Collier County Veterans Council. Jim participated in the annual Disabled American Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and Golden Age Games, bringing home several gold medals. He enjoyed X- country skiing with Ski For Light and was an avid bowler with the Collier County Blind Association. Although Jim was visually impaired, he cherished his independence and was an inspiration to the many people he met on his walks and CAT bus rides throughout Naples. In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Jim to the Florida Independent Living Council. In 1970, Jim and his family moved to the Midwest, becoming the first Asian family to reside in Leawood, Kan. Jim co-founded the Chinese Club of Greater Kansas City and The Chinese School of Greater KC. Mayor Charles B. Wheeler appointed Jim a charter member of the Ethnic Enrichment Commission. Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lilli. He leaves behind daughters Roxanne (Steve Rebein), Joanne and Jennifer (Chris Sanders); granddaughters Sami and Mimi Rebein; sister Vivian Lam; brother George Wu; and many other family and friends whose lives he touched. A memorial service celebrating Jim's life will be Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Garden of Hope and Courage, Naples, Fla. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The James & Lilli T. Wu Charitable Foundation at Greater Horizons, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105, or www.greaterhorizons.org.