James V. Heaton, Sr. (Jim), 92 years old, of Shawnee, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2026.

Jim was born February 13, 1934, at home with the assistance of a midwife. He was the second-born son of Edward Franklin Heaton and Grace Marie Byington Heaton. His parents called him “their miracle baby” when just moments before birth, he turned in the womb, entering this world a 10 lb. baby boy.

Jim grew up in a working-class neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri. His bicycle was transportation to the world, alley streets were his playground, and his best friends, Frank Windegger and Bob Allen, were inseparable adventurers with him, once riding bikes across the Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River to Illinois. His playful nature and positive spirit earned him the nickname “Sunny” with his Sunday School friends.

Jim developed an amazing work ethic at an early age. By 12, he was working his own paper route, setting pins at the local bowling alley and selling soda pop at Sportsman’s Park, the home field for the Cardinals and Browns. Well, the last job was more for his love of baseball than the spending money.

In the fall of 1950, Jim connected with a girl from his home room class, Carol Leibundgut. After a Cleveland High football game, they found themselves on the same city bus. But when some boys were in the back cussing a blue streak, Carol got up and hopped off the bus in a “bad” neighborhood. Seeing a damsel in distress, Sir James came after her and walked her the rest of the way home. That was the beginning of a relationship that would last over 6 decades.

During their senior year of High School, 1 week after Jim turned 18 in February 1952, he drove his blue ‘39 Ford convertible with his 17-year-old bride to a small border town in Arkansas, where they were married by the justice of the peace. Their family grew quickly. July 1952, Cheryl Christine Heaton was born. August 1954, James Jr. was born. November 1956, Karen Elaine was born, and on July 4th, 1961, Ken Heaton completed the young family. Jim was 27, Carol was 26, and all living in a 2-bedroom, 800 sq. ft. house in Crestwood, MO.

Jim always had a job: Kroger’s stock boy, assistant manager for Fred Harvey’s, clerk for Pacific Railroad, route sales for Coca Cola, Wonder Bread, and Freund’s Bakery, salesman for Site Automotive, Prestolite Batteries, and sales executive for Rockford Products. Through all these jobs, Jim always excelled, developing extraordinary people skills and an incredible work ethic. In 1967, Jim’s work moved him to Overland Park, Kansas. This move was the foundation of change that shaped Jim and Carol and their 4 children’s lives in profound ways.

In 1974, Jim and Carol committed their lives to Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:17 says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come.” This was completely true for Jim and Carol. Both were baptized as adults; they renewed their marriage vows and worked together to build their new life with Christ as their center.

The next 40 years they enjoyed their children growing up and watching them start their own families. Jim retired from Rockford and pursued his lifelong dream of moving to Florida, which they enjoyed for 19 years. However, when Carol started having some health issues, they sold their Florida home and moved back to Shawnee, Kansas, moving into Wyndam Place.

On February 4, 2018, after a 4-year battle with Lewy-Body Dementia, Carol passed away, 12 days shy of their 66th anniversary. During those 4 years, Jim cared for her, cooked and cleaned, and gave all of himself to his wife. And for the next 4 years, he struggled in his grief. However, while not looking for another relationship, he met Mary Palmer. These two Christian people found friendship which became a sustaining love in both of their lives. We, as Jim’s children and grandchildren, are forever grateful for Mary and what she brought into Jim’s life.

Jim passed away peacefully after a fall in his home and a short stay in the hospital. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Grace Heaton (Emery), his brother Ed Heaton, Jr. and his wife, Lorraine, and his daughter-in-law Cynthia Heaton

Jim is survived by his daughter Cheri and spouse Kirk Johnson of Lynnwood, Washington; son Jim, Jr. and his spouse Pamela Heaton of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter Karen and her spouse Rob Page of Belleville, Illinois; and son Ken Heaton of Williamsburg, Iowa. Nephews Paul Heaton of Elk Grove, California, and Bill Heaton of San Ramon, California. Jim had 10 grandchildren: Erin Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, Alissa Ruffin, James Heaton III, Kyle Heaton, Kevin Heaton, Rick Estes, Joe Estes, Shanda Farquhar, and Michael Heaton. Great-Grandchildren, Ian Estes, Kael Estes, Keegan Estes, Kyler Estes, and Amari Estes, Maryn Ruffin, Ellie Ruffin, Ava Heaton, Cayden Heaton, Bella Heaton, and Vivian Heaton, Allison Farquhar, Emily Farquhar, and Grace Farquhar, and Great-great grandson Dean Hunsaker.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Westside Family Church, located at 8500 Woodsonia Dr., Lenexa, KS, on October 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with fellowship and food following. There will be a private family gathering at the Johnson County Memorial Gardens for the inurnment at 3:00 p.m. that day.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Jim will be greatly missed.