James "Jim" Raymond Marsee

James "Jim" Raymond Marsee, 85, died Thursday, June 28th at his Westwood home in the arms of his loving wife and caregiver, Ellen. On Thursday, July 5th a visitation will be held from 5pm-7pm, opening with prayer and visitation to follow, and a funeral Mass celebrated on Friday, July 6th at 10am, both at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Agnes Catholic Church for repairs to their foundation or to Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation, whose dedicated staff made his last days so comfortable.

Jim was the only son born to Raymond and Agnes Marsee on June 7th, 1933. Protective and loving brother of his four sisters, Barbara Latenser, Mary Franzen, Sharon Marsee and Judy Glynn, he was preceded in death by all. He was a lifelong resident of Kansas City and a graduate of St. Agnes High School, class of 1951 where he built friendships that would last his entire life. At just fourteen his father began mentoring him in the family trade of construction. Jim was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. After serving in The Engineer Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, he moved home and married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Jackson. Jim returned to work alongside his dad and later owned and operated Raymond Marsee & Son Foundation Repair Company. He mentored many nephews and young men who fondly remember going out on a job and the brotherhood of the yard. Though he never learned to swim, Jim designed and built a lake home at the 25-mile marker on the Lake of the Ozarks. Known for his kindness and unparalleled generosity, he hosted and taught generations to waterski in Kinchlow Hollow Cove. A contented and gentle soul, Jim died after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. He and his family are grateful for the dedication of all his caregivers and those who dropped by with a sweet treat or called with a family update to share.

Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ellen, his three daughters Delores Peterson, Lisa Marsee-Long (Dwight), and Tricia Maxfield (Josh), seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Ron Franzen and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was simply a great man. He appreciated the value in a tough job well done and focused on ways to be useful to others. There was no role he enjoyed more than leading his family as father, grandfather, brother, uncle and husband. He remains a model of humility, loyalty and optimism for so many. The world is truly a better place because he was in it. Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.