Jim Blessing

Jim Blessing, of Overland Park, Kan., passed on Dec. 8, 2015 in Overland Park at the age of 84. He was born May 17, 1931 in Little Rock, Ark. He grew up in Little Rock and in Kansas City graduating from Southwest High School. While earning his degree in Architecture at the University of Kansas he met and married his wife of 58 years, Mary. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force and piloted B-25s in missions during the Cold War. After his degree and Air Force service were complete he and Mary settled in Chanute, Kan. where they raised four children: Parthy Evans of Overland Park, Kan.; Julia Ford of Springfield, Mo.; Jim Blessing Jr. of Desoto, Kan.; and Melissa Rubin of Studio City, Calif. The couple's professions as architect and lawyer took them then to Lawrence, Kan.; Evergreen, Colo.; and Dallas, Texas. Their retirement years were spent at Tablerock Lake, Mo. and Lawrence, Kan. After Mary passed in 2012, Jim lived in Overland Park near children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jim's work as an architect is memorialized in many courthouse, school, and medical projects valued by communities in Southeast Kansas and in larger projects such as the Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, Colo., buildings at the University of Colorado where he was University Architect, and complexes for the Navajo Nation. He enjoyed hunting, golf, restoring antique cars, music, reading, antiques and art. His public service included serving on the City Planning Commission in Chanute, and on the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in Chanute. He is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The family has requested that memorial gifts be directed to the Lone Jack Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, 37102 East Cannon Dr., Lone Jack, Mo. 64070. There will be a family graveside service in Lone Jack. Online condolences may be conveyed at www.kccremation.com.