James "Jim" Matthew Lonergan Sr.

James “Jim” Matthew Lonergan, Sr., 77 years old, died peacefully at home Monday, July 6, 2015, after a long illness. Jim was born July 29, 1937 in Kansas City, MO, son of Daniel Matthew and Frances Ann (Sherer) Lonergan. He was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City, MO area, most recently in Peculiar, MO. He attended Holy Name Catholic Elementary School and De LaSalle Catholic High School. Jim served in the Naval Reserve for eight years, from 1955-63. He married Darlene Marie Phillips on June 16, 1956 in Kansas City, MO. Three children were born of their marriage: Deborah (1957), James, Jr. (1962) and Michael (1963). Jim and Darlene opened their homes with love to countless children in the foster care system over several decades.

Jim served Kansas City as a firefighter, fire apparatus operator and Captain from 1960-1987, and also served in the Research and Planning Office/KCFD for the last several years of his career.

Jim had a variety of interests throughout his life, several of which involved the outdoors, boating, water skiing and snow skiing. Summer vacations were often spent enjoying the summer at the Lake of the Ozarks where Jim’s cousin had a resort, and spent many happy times with family and friends at the family lake house. There were also numerous trips to the mountains of Colorado, skiing at Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail and Breckenridge. Jim enjoyed traveling with family across the U.S., including several visits out west to California and many trips to Florida. He also traveled to Europe, along with family, spending time in Italy and France. Jim was an avid reader, coin collector and fan of classic films. He also enjoyed history, politics and economics and stayed abreast of world events and issues. Jim had an unforgettable sense of humor that was shared with everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael Joseph Lonergan, and brother-in-law Patrick Phillips. Jim is survived by his wife Darlene (Phillips) Lonergan of the home; sister Janice (Lonergan) Lee and brother-in-law Dennis Lee of Kansas City, MO; daughter Deborah (Lonergan) Yatsko and son-in-law Ralph Yatsko of Castle Rock, CO; son James Matthew Lonergan, Jr. of Harrisonville, MO; daughter-in-law Loran (Schaeffer) Lonergan of Kansas City, MO, (widow of Michael); sister-in-law Sharon Ogren; foster daughters Mary Carter of Kansas City, MO and Janet Lee of Peculiar, MO; grandchildren Daniel Hickle and his wife Giada Vergottini, Joel Yatsko, Ellie Yatsko, Camielle Lonergan, Sara Lonergan, and Michael Daniel Lonergan; and nephews Tim Lee and wife Lea, and Justin Lee and wife Emily.

A gathering to greet the family will begin at 12:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 8, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO. Inurnment will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blessed Trinity Hospice, 1626 Elm St., Harrisonville, MO 64701 and/or St. Florian Fund/IAFF Local 42, 6320 Manchester Ave., Suite 42A, Kansas City, MO 64133.