James F O'Malley M.D.

James Francis (“J.F.”) O’Malley, M.D., died December 20, 2012, at age 91 in Leawood, Kansas. Visitation will be Friday, December 21, from 5-7 pm, Rosary will be prayed at 7 pm, at McGilley State Lane Chapel in Kansas City. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 22, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier (52nd and Troost) in Kansas City, MO.

J.F. was born in a farmhouse in Perry, Iowa, on August 16, 1921, to J. Francis and Bernice (Anton) O’Malley His sister, Eleanor, was two years younger. The family lived on the farm until 1930 when the farm was lost during the Great Depression and they moved to Kansas City where J. Francis opened a barber shop on the Plaza and J.F. attended St. James Elementary School. He graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1939 and joined the U.S. Navy Reserve while beginning his studies at Rockhurst College. He was called to active duty in 1940 and served on the USS Enterprise before returning home to continue his studies at Rockhurst.

In 1945, J.F. married the girl he met on a double-date to a Rockhurst College dance, Mary Kathryn Baty. Thus began a romance that would last a lifetime. They had 11 children, four of whom died in infancy. One year after their wedding, J.F. graduated from St. Louis University Medical School. He then returned to active duty in the Navy and served at the US Naval Hospital in Houston, Texas, before transferring to the U.S. Marine Corps. He served on Guam for 17 months at the close of the war in the Pacific. In 1949, J.F. returned to Kansas City and completed a residency in urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He practiced medicine in Kansas City with Robert H. Owens, M.D., from 1953 to 1986. They served on staff at Baptist Medical Center, St. Mary, St. Joseph, Queen of the World, Research and Suburban Hospitals. J.F. was often referred to by his friends and colleagues as a true “Renaissance Man.” He and Mary Kathryn enjoyed studying foreign languages, owning a farm, and traveling throughout Europe, something they continued to do even after Mary Kathryn was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1964. He played the violin and was an accomplished painter and sketch artist. A voracious reader from early childhood, in the 60’s he owned one of the largest collections of Civil War books in the Midwest. After retiring from active medical practice, J.F. served on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Museum Board and worked part-time at the VA Hospital in Kansas City, caring for World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, with whom he delighted in sharing stories.

JF and Mary Kathryn always opened their hearts and home with generosity to friends and family. Mary Kathryn died in 2008 one day before their 64th wedding anniversary. After her death, J.F., then age 87, married longtime family friend Marybeth Swartz. She dealt with his declining health from the outset, but her companionship sustained him until his death. J.F. was preceded in death by Mary Kathryn, his parents, his sister Eleanor Connelly Hanley, two infant sons, and infant daughters Marian and Mary Bernice. He is survived by Marybeth and seven children: James F. O’Malley III, Hon. John R. O’Malley (Gloria), Mary Bridget Kratofil (Greg), Patrick O’Malley (Sandra), Brian O’Malley (Ginny), Mary Kathryn O’Malley (Mary) and Terence O’Malley (Heather). He is also survived by 19 grandchildren: James F. IV, Colin, Carey, Martin, Gregory, Kate, John, Ann, Shannon, Mary Colleen, Patrick, Timothy, Megan, Bridget, Kaitlin, Peter, Mary Kate, Conor and Casey, 22 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. J.F. would say, “If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough.” We were lucky enough to have his humor, his wisdom, his skill, his faith he so willingly shared and his love for a long time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Francis Xavier Church, Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst University or Catholic Charities.