James B. “Jim” Jackson passed away March 22 at age 71, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was at his beloved home in Kansas City’s Hyde Park neighborhood; his wife of forty years, Merrily, was holding his hand.
Jim was born on October 22, 1951, the second child of Claude J. Jackson and Evalyn Nadine Smith Jackson. Apart from his college years, he was a lifelong resident of Kansas City. An enthusiastic world traveler, he possessed infinite curiosity about other countries and cultures, was a walking encyclopedia of cultural and historical data, and could name practically any piece of classical music upon hearing the first few notes. He was known for his kindness, integrity and loyalty. His dry wit and hearty laugh enlivened any social gathering.
Jim attended Oak Park High School, where he played football and baseball, made lifelong friends and later became a leader in each of the many OPHS Class of ‘69 reunions. He attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate degree and was a proud member of its Phi Delta Theta chapter, forming enduring friendships both in his fraternity and with a tight group of Tucson residents who became family to him; he visited them every year and Tucson became a second home to him.
Following college he attended the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law, where he received his juris doctor. His first job out of law school was as an eminent domain specialist with the Missouri State Highway Commission, and eminent domain and other areas of property and small business law became his focus when he opened his private practice. He maintained his practice for over thirty years and became a highly respected specialist in real estate law.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Claudine Jackson Weiher. He is survived by his wife, Merrily Thomson Jackson; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rodney and Colleen Clancey Weiher of Washington DC; his sisters-in-law Barbara Thomson Kelly (Rick); Virginia Thomson Morrell (Jeff) and brothers-in-law James Condon Thomson (Jill); Daniel Arthur Marion Thomson (Bridget); Peter Kelvin Thomson (Jane); Vincent Joseph Thomson (Susan); and his dear friends Scott and Bernadette Ashcraft, whom he considered family.
Jim’s funeral will be Friday, March 31, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, 64131. Visitation at 9:30 AM, Service at 11:00 AM. Celebration of Life at 5:00 PM at Lidia’s Kansas City (The Loft), 101 West 22nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64108.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, 3732 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. kcshakes.org
