James (“Jim”) Milton Loveland, December 6, 1924 to June 6, 1991, passed away at his family’s home (at age 66) after a twelve month battle with lung cancer. His family gathered for his memorial service from 1-2 pm on June 8, 1991 at Park Lawn Chapel to honor and give thanks for his life. I’d like to share a bit about our dad:

Jim was the only child of his parents, Harold Loar and Rose Gertrude (Hutson) Loveland growing up in a middle-class family in (Eastside) KCMO and later Raytown, MO., and graduating from Raytown High in 1942 where he was active in debate, drama, mixed choir, band and orchestra (as lead trombonist).

Shortly after his 1942 graduation, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the 7th fleet band where he toured SE Asia and nearly died of malaria during his time (1943-45) in that region. After WWII and 3 years in the Navy, Jim continued playing trombone in a Mid-West regional big band called the Mickey Bride orchestra (1946-48). Thereafter (at 22 yrs. old) he worked for the KC Southern Railroad (1948-49) as a telegrapher and signalman before he began a four-year apprentice training in journeymen’s school (in 1950) for what would become a 39 year career as an electrician (in IBEW local 124) working for a number of KC firms (like Boese Hilburn Electric) until retiring from his last job at the GM plant in Fairfax, KS in late 1989. Jim shared that he genuinely enjoyed his work during those four decades.

Jim met our mother, Leona, at the Pla Mor ballroom on Main St. (KCMO) in January of 1953. Unfortunately, his father (Harold Loar) died at age 50 from stomach cancer before their engagement in early Spring of 1953. Jim (now 28) married Leona (21 yrs.) on June 27, 1953 at Unity Temple on the Plaza and initially lived in a four-plex (in KCK) their first two and half years together before building a small ranch house in KCMO's Eastwood Hills (June-Dec. 1955) where they would raise their family.

Jim & Leona were the parents of three children: Russell Harold (1955), David John (1957) & Janis Elizabeth (1959). He was a good father, a man of integrity and faithful to his wife Leona. Throughout his children’s growing-up years he faithfully invested: teaching them how to exercise and stay fit, to swim and dive off the board, enrolling his sons in judo classes and in numerous judo tournaments, teaching his son David trombone and arranging for private lessons, providing piano and voice lessons for his daughter Janis and taking his family on unforgettable summer vacations to visit family and scenic sights throughout the Western U.S. several times (in the late 60s & early 70s).

Described by his cousin as “a jewel of a man”, Jim was reserved, discerning, disciplined and civic-minded who primarily expressed his love through how he well-provided for and guided his family. He cared about education and encouraged his children to read, study and build their vocabulary. Through his example and support his children grew up to become mature, educated and responsible adults who all completed college degrees and went on to well care for their own families.

Religiously open, Jim’s parents introduced him to Unity Village’s services in his teen years - their teachings, swimming pool and summer band concerts (which he would later perform in) - and would thereafter raise his family in the Unity Church (on the Plaza and later at Unity Village) which lit an openness and curiosity to explore the Christian faith in all his children. Jim regularly took his family on Sunday mornings, served as an usher and even led a God & Country class during his children’s childhood years at Unity Temple on the Plaza.

A bonafide handyman, Jim built a partly-finished basement, installing a stairwell in the living room, a recreation room, and a large bedroom and bath for his sons when they reached adolescence. Ever attentive he continued to provide guidance for his teenage children with driving lessons, car maintenance tips, help with car repairs, and test driving when selecting and purchasing “new” cars.

Jim really enjoyed his initial period of retirement (in early 1990) staying fit, eating and getting out to dance and enjoy live jazz music once again (life-long “loves” for our dad); however, when he went in for a hernia procedure (in June 1990) imaging revealed he had stage 4 lung cancer requiring immediate radiation treatments. Though divorced from our mom, Leona (since 1977) for more than a decade, she lovingly welcomed Jim back to their Eastwood Hills home caring for him his last year (where he passed); they always loved and cared for one another.

His adult children were thankful to get a final year with their dad (in 1990-91) and were deeply and positively shaped by his life, care, investment, generosity and example (remembering him often - even decades later - in their thoughts, prayers and unforgettable memories).

Jim leaves behind his eldest son, Russell Harold, recognized in our family as the greatest uncle ever, his son David John, whose wife Pamela of 40+ years passed August 13, 2025 and their twin sons, Simeon Christian and Seth David Loveland (and their wives Antoinette Alana Elizabeth and Ashley Renee respectively - along with Seth & Ashley’s daughter Genevieve Ellen), and his daughter Janis Elizabeth (married to Gary Kilgore and their son Sam Wright and his wife Mikayla and their two children, Elliot and Hazel). Sadly, Jim did not live long enough to enjoy his children's families or his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Like all of us, Jim struggled with how to live well and may never have realized the full significance of his life, contributions and investments in his family, but unquestionably made a lasting and course-setting difference for those blessed to call him dad. May he rest in peace.

This obituary tribute was belatedly posted on May 28, 2026 as funeral homes did not feature online obituaries routinely until the late 1990s.