James Arthur Morris

James Arthur Morris passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, in Raytown, Missouri, at the age of 85. Born on January 20, 1941, in Prairie Home, Missouri, to T.J. Morris and Alice (Kuhn) Morris, Jim lived a life defined by faith, service, humor, and deep love for family, friends and community (and Missouri sports teams!).

Jim graduated from high school in Prosser, Washington, in 1959 before proudly serving in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1965. After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Central Missouri, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Education. While in college, he was known for his love of softball, volleyball, and just about any intramural sport. It was there that he met his first wife, Carol Ann Shoemaker Morris, to whom he was married for 27 devoted years until her untimely passing in 1994.

Teaching was more than a profession for Jim — it was a calling. He began his career at Mark Twain Elementary School in Kansas City, before joining the Raytown C-2 School District, where he taught sixth grade at Spring Valley Elementary and later at Raytown South Middle School. Over twenty-five years in the district, Jim became the kind of teacher students remembered long after leaving his classroom for his patience, encouragement, and perhaps even his memorable model assignments on ancient Egypt.

Outside the classroom, Jim embraced life’s simple joys wholeheartedly. He could often be found tending his yard, taking long walks through the neighborhood, reading, or faithfully cheering for the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Missouri Tigers football and basketball teams. He was an eloquent writer with a quick sense of humor and a quiet but undeniable love for country music. His family will always cherish his thoughtful habit of sending cards in the mail, each one carefully chosen and intentionally filled with his personal thoughts, encouragement, and wishes for the recipient.

On July 19, 1996, Jim married Donna (Truninger) Mitchell, and together they built a life rooted in companionship, faith, laughter, and mutual support. They shared not only their lives, but also the joys and challenges of blending families and caring for one another through everyday moments, both big and small.

More than anything, Jim treasured people. His ten grandchildren were among the greatest blessings of his life, and he took enormous pride in each of them. He believed in showing up for others — through conversation, kindness, encouragement, or simply being present.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Jim devoted much of his life to serving others through his church communities. He attended Blue Ridge Methodist Church and more recently Connection Point Church in Raytown. He taught Sunday School for children, teenagers, and adults with special needs, many of whom became like family to him. He also spent many years volunteering with the Meals on Wheels program, delivering meals and companionship to seniors throughout the community. Jim cherished his lifelong church friendships and was a proud member of the unofficial “Blue Ridge Men’s Club.”

Those fortunate enough to know Jim will remember a man of deep integrity, steady faith, quiet generosity, and genuine compassion. He leaves behind not only memories, but a legacy carried forward in the countless students he taught, friends he encouraged, family members he loved dearly, and lives he touched through simple acts of kindness.

Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Ann Shoemaker Morris; his parents, Thomas J. and Alice Mae (Kuhn) Morris; his brother, Jack Morris; and his sister, Wanda (Morris) Cox.

He is survived by his wife, Donna (Truninger) Mitchell Morris; his daughters, Meredith (Morris) Condit and husband Eric Condit, and Alison (Morris) Keating and husband James Keating; Donna’s sons, Doug Mitchell and wife Kim Mitchell, and Jason Mitchell; his ten beloved grandchildren; his siblings, Bill Morris, Karen (Morris) Moore, and Tom Morris; his brother-in-law Doug Shoemaker and a wide circle of extended family, friends, former students, neighbors, and church family who will continue to celebrate a life beautifully lived.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Connection Point Church in Raytown or Southeast Enterprises in Kansas City in Jim’s memory.

A visitation will be held on June 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Newcomer’s Floral Hills Funeral Home (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64133). A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 2:30 p.m.