James Kenneth Lakey Sr.

James Kenneth Lakey, Sr., 79, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 12, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 701 E. Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64131, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Entombment will follow services in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. Contributions are suggested to Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter, ([email protected]).

James was born on September 21, 1945 to Robert Kenneth and Anna Julia (Dezulski) Lakey in Kansas City. James attended St Louis Elementary School and graduated from Raytown High School. He attended the University of Central Missouri and received a Master’s Degree In Business. James was a member of Tke Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. James started his career at the Federal Reserve Bank and then with All State Insurance Company. He ended his career with the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he served as associate dean at UMKC School of Medicine.

Along with his brother, Gary, James played Rugby with the Kansas City Rugby Football Club (KCRFC). He was a founding member of the River Quay Rugby Club. James continued playing rugby for over 20 years. He also had a true passion for softball. He played, coached and ran many softball tournaments in the Kansas City area. His “Coors” team was ranked #1 in the Midwest in the 80’s and won 15 of 18 tournaments one year. James was notorious for the Coors Classic and Stroud’s Chicken Choker tournaments. He was also heavily involved in youth sports serving as a coach, sponsor and a board member of the South Suburban Junior Baseball Association. James was an avid collector of coins, baseball cards and sports memorabilia. He had a strong passion for sports, sports statistics and most importantly the odds.

In retirement James loved to travel enjoying trips to Cosa Rica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada and his regular trips to Vegas. He loved to gamble. James had an affinity for fine casinos, poker and horse racing, especially the Kentucky Derby. James was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lori; and a brother, Gary, whom he cherished their life journeys together. He was also preceded in death by his best friends in life, Tom Stoltz and Kirk “Red” Miller.

Survivors include his 3 children, James Kenneth Lakey, Jr. (Pam), Jill Brown (fiancé Ryan), and Alex Carnes; his former wife, Carol Lakey; and 3 grandchildren, Jaxon, Jameson, and Janet.