James "Jim" Harden

James (Jim) Harden, of Leawood, KS, died on July 22, 2011 at St. Joseph Medical Center following complications from a heart attack in April, 2011. Jim was born March 6, 1932 in New York, New York to British immigrant parents, James Harden and Jessie Kennedy. He grew up in Upper Manhattan in the neighborhood of Washington Heights. He completed his secondary education at Haaren High School in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. This school was later used to film the movie, "Fame." Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Army. During the Korean War, Jim served as a high speed radio operator in the Pentagon and later was stationed in Eritrea in Northern Africa. This was the beginning of a lifelong fascination with the beauty of Africa. After military duty, Jim began his civilian career with Anaconda Aluminum. While with the company he opened and managed production plants first in New Jersey, followed by Chicago, and eventually in Atlanta. During this time, he also completed his education at Georgia State University, where he studied business and accounting. Following his tenure with Anaconda, Jim became a successful home builder in the Atlanta area developing numerous subdivisions in northern parts of the city. His individual designs added a unique creative touch to each home. Eventually, Jim left the building business when he was approached by one of the banks he worked with to help "turn around" a manufacturing company in the Kansas City area that was in the bankruptcy process. This was in 1975 and the company located in Ottawa, KS, manufactured Skyhook aerial cranes and Sponco aerial ladders utilized in the outdoor advertising industry. In 1976, a business partner and Jim purchased the company and the corporate name was changed to Phoenix Corporation. In 2004, the company was sold to Manitex in Georgetown, TX. In addition to his work, Jim enjoyed many hobbies. Each new hobby represented an opportunity to challenge himself to be the best. Jim was a published cartoonist and an avid drummer. He was a ham radio operator while living in Chicago and was head of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. For many years, he enjoyed the game of golf and seriously took on the game of tennis. This was all before he started sailing. Once he began, sailing captured his heart. He loved the challenge of making the boat do what he wanted it to do with only the wind. He loved to travel to boating destinations such as the Virgin Islands and Annapolis, MD. Jim was a patron of the Arts and he supported the Kansas City Ballet both financially and with many hours of volunteer work. He was eager to see Kansas City obtain the long awaited Performing Arts Center and was anxious to see the first Ballet or Opera in the new Center. Jim was a long-time member (over 30 years) of the Carriage Club. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Jim leaves behind his beloved wife, Jo An; adult children: JoAnn Humber, of Suwanee, GA, Susan Lizotte (Michael), of Westford, MA, Laurie Gormanous (Jeff), of Glenview, IL, Julie Liebnitz-Flood (Brian), of Lee's Summit, MO, and Jennifer Harden, of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren: Jamie Humber, Kate Lizotte, David Lizotte, Rachel Gormanous, David Gormanous, Jennifer Sanders, and Tristan Flood; also, his canine companion, Jessie, will miss him. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Noel. Services will be held at the McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, on Thursday, July 28, 2011. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., proceeded by services at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waiffs