James Joseph Walruff

James was born January 29, 1926 in Kansas City, Missouri to Joseph and Vena Walruff. After graduation from Paseo High School in 1943, Jim enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and served as an Aviation Radioman/gunner on a PBY Catalina. While in the Navy he met his future wife, Jean Moa. They dated regularly for over four months until Jim left for duty in the Aleutian Islands. They corresponded on a regular basis and after Jim returned, they married later in Mt Vernon, Washington on November 1, 1946. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Kansas City where he and his bride began raising their family of four children. He furthered his education and became a registered professional civil engineer. He worked at Black & Veatch for seven years before leaving to become a part of a newly formed company in Independence where he became a partner and part owner. He retired in 1991 after 36 years of service. Jim and Jean built a home at Lake Stockton and lived there for 13 years, wintering in their condo in Arizona before returning to the Kansas City area and building their new home in Raymore.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jean his loving wife of 70 years; son, James P.; brother and sister-in-law, John and Margaret Walruff; sister, Kathleen Devine and a grandson, James Richard Carson.

He is survived by his children: Linda (Jim) Whitaker, Kathy (Dennis) O'Sullivan, and Tom (Sharon) Walruff; 7 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Janice Walruff; brother-in-law, Richard Devine and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was a member of the American Legion Post 189 out of Lee's Summit, Missouri.

A visitation for James will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 MO-150, Lee's Summit, MO 64082. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 AM. Committal with military honors will occur at 2:00 PM at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64138. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or K.C. Hospice.