James Paul Sunderland

Jim Sunderland was born in Springfield, MO in April 1928 to Paul and Avis Sunderland. At the time, his father Paul was the plant manager at the Ash Grove Lime and Portland Cement Company’s Galloway lime plant. Jim had an older brother Robert seven years his senior, who died in December 2014.

Jim was a diligent student and high school athlete, quarterbacking the Greenwood High football team and winning the Missouri State 100 yard dash championship. Following high school, Jim headed to college at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. Jim then attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis.

Immediately following law school graduation, Jim was inducted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Jim met his future wife Esther White while stationed in Indiana during his military service.

Following his discharge from the Army, Jim moved back to Kansas City and began working as a lawyer at the Stinson, Mag law firm. He and Esther were married in August of 1954 and lived just off the Plaza in Kansas City, MO.

In April of 1956 their first son Charles was born, and in 1957 Jim joined the Ash Grove Lime and Portland Cement Company as the corporate secretary, working in the company offices in downtown Kansas City, MO.

Jim and Esther’s son Kent was born in May 1958, followed by a third son Bill, in July of 1961.

Jim and Esther created a stable and caring family life for their three sons who thrived growing up in the suburbs of Kansas City.

During his 43 years of service, Jim continued to take increasing leadership roles at the Ash Grove Cement Company eventually leading the Company as President and Chairman through a successful period of growth and development. During Jim’s leadership Ash Grove became one of the largest Portland cement producers in the country. Jim had a deep respect for the employees and customers of Ash Grove Cement, continually working to ensure all were treated fairly and consistently on a long term basis.

During his business career, Jim was very civically active. He served on several bank and corporate boards as well as nonprofit organizations such as the Nelson Art Gallery. He was a co-founder of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and was honored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce as the Missouri businessman of the year and by Johnson County Community College as the Johnson Countian of the year.

A committed philanthropist Jim played a major role in directing the grant making of the Sunderland Foundation, leading the foundation as President for over thirty years.

Jim enjoyed music all his life, learning to play the clarinet as a child and continuing to play into adult hood. He enjoyed listening to jazz and swing music and was an audiophile, enjoying electronics and sound systems that enhanced the listening experience.

In the late 1960’s Jim purchased rural acreage with a picturesque lake and a small cabin, south of Kansas City near LaCygne, KS. This became the family weekend retreat. Jim and his sons hiked through the woods, tended a small heard of seasonal cattle and enjoyed the wildlife. The property remains in the family as a favorite gathering spot. Jim enjoyed bird watching and was quick to spot and identify rare birds migrating through the area.

Jim and Esther have eight grandchildren ranging in age from 29 to 3 years old.

A family reception will be held at Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. on Saturday, May 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The family requests no flowers; donations in Jim’s memory can be made to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation