James Dudley

James B. Dudley, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 14, 2011, after a courageous and dignified battle with blindness and Alzheimer's disease.

The second son of Bruce E. and Alice (Fling) Dudley, Jim was born in Oklahoma City, on September 10, 1924. As a young red headed boy, his family moved to Kansas City where Jim would make his home for the rest of his life, graduating from Paseo High School in 1942. A lifelong love of travel was developed at an early age through family vacations. At age 18, Jim joined the Navy and served in WWII as a torpedo man on the USS Barton for 3 years, seeing action at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Normandy.

After the war, Jim returned to Lawrence, Kansas and leveraged the GI Bill to earn an Engineering Degree from KU. He was certified as a Professional Engineer and worked for JF Pritchard on the Plaza for 33 years. While there, he met, courted and married Waneta Schroder and they remained devoted partners for 56 years. As the family grew, Jim personally designed and built their dream home in Overland Park. He spent the next few decades modifying and enhancing it, as he was the consummate handyman. Jim and Waneta were among the first members of Valley View United Methodist Church and enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the United States.

Jim's career was thriving, sending him many times to Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. He was a lifelong learner and loved to read history and biographies.

Jim is survived by his wife and children Julia (Angel) Rivera and Joe (Cathy) Dudley and grandchildren Craig Dudley, Stephanie Dudley and Jaime Rivera. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Ray.

The family suggests donations be made to Valley View United Methodist Church, 8412 W 95th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.

Visitation and Memorial Service

A visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 17, 2011, at Valley View United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m.