James Samuel Charles Jr.

James S. Charles Jr. (1954 – 2025) passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and laughter, on February 26, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1954, to James S. Sr. and Carmilla Charles and was one of eight siblings. James married Rose Billings on February 14, 2009, where they merged their families and created a warm, welcoming home together.

James was a proud resident of Kansas City, Missouri, which he considered home, but he also cherished his roots in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he lived for many years before returning to his hometown.

He attended Paseo High School, and his passion for cars led him to become a licensed auto mechanic. He was always willing to help others with vehicle issues. Over the years, he collected Chevy memorabilia, notably a variety of 1957 Chevy items, including model cars, remote-controlled cars, a '57 Chevy house phone, and a VHS cassette rewinder. Even during his battle with cancer, he fondly recalled his love for cars, reminiscing about a wooden car he made as a child and dreaming of "driving away in his new 2015 silver Chevy Impala with gray interior and wood grain."

James eventually retired as an elementary school bus driver for the Kansas City School District. He had countless hilarious stories from his interactions with the children he transported and often said, “They get on my nerves, but they warm my heart more.” During the winter, he generously provided gloves, hats, and coats to children who boarded his bus without proper clothing, stating, "It’s way too cold for them to be without."

James was preceded in death by both parents, his brothers William Vernon (Red) Charles and Charles (Tootie) Goodseal, his second wife Rogers Jean Charles and his sister Antonia (Toni) Charles. He is survived by his wife, Rose Billings-Charles; his siblings Toya Colbert, Danielle Wynne (John), Steven Charles, and David Charles; his oldest son, Anthony Brown (Leslie); his daughters Taneeka Hill (Carl), Tanya Holmes (Gene), and son James S. Charles III; as well as bonus children Tony Huey, Ray Williams (Christina), and fur-baby Angel. He leaves to cherish his memory 22 grandchildren, along with a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shalom Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3621 Paseo Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri, on March 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM to commemorate and honor the life of James S. Charles Jr.