James "Jim" Pilgrim

Jim was born to William (Pidge) and Daisy (Hopkins) Pilgrim on Jan 21, 1933. He was born and raised in a small zinc mining town called Picher, Oklahoma. He had one sister, two half-sisters and one half-brother who have all preceded him in death. After High School, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1956 and served four years as an Airman-1st Class during the Korean War. During that time, he helped support his mother and father who had fallen on hard times.

One year after discharge from the Air Force, he married Helen Brewer who he had gone to school with and lived two blocks from his whole life. In 1958, Jim and Helen had their only child, a daughter named Pam. Jim started college shortly after and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. In 1966, they moved to Lee’s Summit, MO where Jim took a job as an Engineering Associate at Western Electric. He retired after 22 years of service.

Jim enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and playing poker. He was a member of The Summit Methodist Church and a member of Telephone Pioneers of America. He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen. He leaves behind his daughter, Pam Juliana, son-in-law, Aughtie Juliana and granddaughter, Lauren Juliana.

Jim was a loving and dedicated husband and father who placed God and family above all else. He was a loyal friend and an honest, trustworthy, hard-working man. He put other’s needs before his own and he lived by example. He will be deeply missed by his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter and all those who knew and loved him. But all can be comforted in the knowledge that he has gone to his eternal home and has been reunited with all those who have gone before him.

Jim will be cremated and ashes scattered at Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. No Memorial Service will be held per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.