James P Youngblood

Dr. James Peter Youngblood, 78, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Jim was born on May 8, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, Francis Youngblood and Catherine (Boes) Youngblood as well as his sister Mary Ann (Youngblood) Jarvis preceded him in death. Jim attended De La Salle High School in Detroit where he was All City in basketball. The classical education he received there from the Christian Brothers created a life-long love of history, travel and literature. He attended the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, completing training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. While at Michigan, Jim was elected student body president and was a member of the honor fraternity Phi Beta Kappa. He joined the Air Force after graduating from medical school and was stationed at Schilling Air Force base in Salina, Kansas for two years. He married Bernadette (Schildberg) Youngblood while they were both college. Together they raised seven children. While Jim will leave a lasting legacy with his children and grandchildren, he was most known in Kansas City for his long medical career in both private practice and academic medicine. During his years in medicine, Jim delivered over five thousand babies bringing not only new lives, but joy into countless families. In many cases, he later delivered children to women he had helped bring into the world to begin with. In 1983, he left private practice to become the Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology program at UMKC/Truman Medical Center. In the course of his 23- year tenure there he advanced the OBGYN residency program to a preeminent position in the country. Over 150 residents graduated from his program to practice obstetrics and gynecology here in Kansas City and around the country. He held many leadership positions throughout his life. In 1992, as president of the Central Association of OBGYN, his inaugural address "Suffer the Little Children" made such an impact that it was entered into the US Congressional Record. He was elected President of the American College of OBGYN in 1998 and lent his leadership to his specialty on a national level. Jim's career was a celebration of life. He brought many new lives into this world, raised his seven children, and trained other doctors to nurture and care for women, as well as deliver babies. His friends also knew him as an enthusiastic fisherman, golfer, and lover of the arts and music. He was a man of quiet humor, deep kindness, courage and integrity. As a loyal friend and caring mentor to so many, Kansas City will be greatly lessened by his departure. Jim gave each one of his children a pet nickname, which is still used among the family today. He also considered his residents to be part of his extended family. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the many physicians, friends, nurses, and aides who helped make Jim's last years more comfortable. Jim is survived by his devoted wife Sara (Bower) Youngblood, his seven children, Jeremy (Lou Ann), Kathy (Howard Hellebuyck), Peggy (Peter Allen), Lynn (Grady Manus), Laura (William Bruce), Matthew (OEnone), and Daniel (Jamaca), and his thirteen grandchildren, Lucas, Evan and Kristen Youngblood, Samantha and Jack Allen, Jacob Sloan (Amanda), Sarah (David Burton) Rebecca Sloan, Henry, Conor and Peter Bruce, Audrey and Dylan Youngblood. Dr. Youngblood had many passions, but perhaps his greatest was education in the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. To that end, The James P. Youngblood Society, an alumni affiliate of the UMKC School of Medicine, has named their Medical Simulation Laboratory after Dr. Youngblood, who was present at its inauguration. The Medical Simulation Laboratory utilizes state-of- the-art computerized equipment to create diagnostic and therapeutic simulations for learners to participate in skills development and practice. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to The Youngblood Society c/o UMKC School of Medicine, 2411 Holmes, 64108. Services to celebrate the life of Dr. James P. Youngblood will be held at McGilley State Line Chapel. A Rosary will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, followed by visitation from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held Monday, March 14, at 10:30 at McGilley State Line Chapel. The family will have a private inurnment at a later date.