His funeral services will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home & Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO on Saturday April 9th, with the burial at 10am, and the Celebration of Life at 11am.
James was born in Warrensburg, MO, son to Ethel Colter Wilckens and Willis Wilckens. He attended Central Missouri State University and received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the Army during Vietnam where he fixed helicopters. He worked most of his life as a Mechanical Engineer. While working for Marley and Sumer Pump Company, he received four patents for water pump innovations which are still used today. He later worked in the architectural side of engineering where he helped with the Liberty Memorial Renovations, designed the underlying structure of the KU Parking Lot, and the framework of the Crown Center sky bridge. He has left a legacy in many important structures. James also worked as an engineering instructor at several local community colleges.
While his son was young, he coached flag football. He was preceded in death by his brother, Louis Wilckens and his parents. James is survived by his children Greta Wilckens Moore and Jerry Wilckens, and his ex-wife and friend Regina Howard Wilckens. James had a great sense of humor that will keep many people laughing for years to come. He was loved and will be missed.
