1924
James
2008
James Wilbur
January 2, 1924 — July 11, 2008
Jim was born January 2, 1924 the son of William and Annis Wilbur. Though born in Nashville the family moved to KC when he was an infant. Jim graduated from
Southwest High School, and intended to head to MU but WWII changed his plans and he served the duration in the Navy mostly in the southern Pacific. He was fortunate enough to make it back to MU after the war and graduated from the Journalism School courtesy of Uncle Sam. It wasn?t long after that when he proposed to his high school sweetheart (Jeanne Wagner) and they began a marriage that made them inseparable soul mates for over 53yrs.
Jim?s creative flair and warm sense of humor quickly got him hired on in the marketing department of Skelly Oil Company, having headquarters on the Plaza at that time. It was a good job but he had been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and wanted to venture out on his own. After a lot of convincing he and Jeanne started a promotional products and marketing company that he aptly called the J. Wilbur Company. It grew and prospered and flourishes today under the hand of his son and daughter-in?law.
Jim?s Golden Rule philosophy was a simple but elegant foundation for his business and his life. Starting his own business took a tremendous amount of time but he never failed to be at his daughter?s swim meets with stopwatch in hand or encouraging his son to steal second at all of the little league games. Family outings or holidays always came first and right up until his health prevented it, his greatest joy in life came from attending the myriad of activities his five grand-daughters were involved in.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanne, his sister Mary King and his brother Bill. He is survived by his sister Jean Dunlop and brother-in-law Don Dunlop of Houston. He is also survived by his daughter Jan Smyth and son-in-law Doug Smyth and his grand daughters Maggie and Erin Smyth, his son Steve, daughter-in-law Lainie and his grand-daughters Lindsey, Kelly and Sara Wilbur all of Kansas City.
Jim was an Eagle Scout, a devoted member of Rotary Club 13, an avid Royals fan and loved being on or in the water when ever he could. His giving nature and warm since of humor will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Southwest High School, and intended to head to MU but WWII changed his plans and he served the duration in the Navy mostly in the southern Pacific. He was fortunate enough to make it back to MU after the war and graduated from the Journalism School courtesy of Uncle Sam. It wasn?t long after that when he proposed to his high school sweetheart (Jeanne Wagner) and they began a marriage that made them inseparable soul mates for over 53yrs.
Jim?s creative flair and warm sense of humor quickly got him hired on in the marketing department of Skelly Oil Company, having headquarters on the Plaza at that time. It was a good job but he had been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and wanted to venture out on his own. After a lot of convincing he and Jeanne started a promotional products and marketing company that he aptly called the J. Wilbur Company. It grew and prospered and flourishes today under the hand of his son and daughter-in?law.
Jim?s Golden Rule philosophy was a simple but elegant foundation for his business and his life. Starting his own business took a tremendous amount of time but he never failed to be at his daughter?s swim meets with stopwatch in hand or encouraging his son to steal second at all of the little league games. Family outings or holidays always came first and right up until his health prevented it, his greatest joy in life came from attending the myriad of activities his five grand-daughters were involved in.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanne, his sister Mary King and his brother Bill. He is survived by his sister Jean Dunlop and brother-in-law Don Dunlop of Houston. He is also survived by his daughter Jan Smyth and son-in-law Doug Smyth and his grand daughters Maggie and Erin Smyth, his son Steve, daughter-in-law Lainie and his grand-daughters Lindsey, Kelly and Sara Wilbur all of Kansas City.
Jim was an Eagle Scout, a devoted member of Rotary Club 13, an avid Royals fan and loved being on or in the water when ever he could. His giving nature and warm since of humor will be missed by everyone that knew him.
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