James "Jim" William Herron

James “Jim” died in Prairie Village, Kansas on August 8, 2023. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jim loved his family, traveling, and playing golf. He was intelligent, kind, generous, funny and outgoing. He had a passion for gelato at any time of the day. He loved meeting people and hearing their stories…he never met a stranger. He was known for his smile, great sense of humor, and for always being a gentleman. He enjoyed listening to music and dancing. Jim was a man of faith.

Jim was married to his love, Helen O’Hara, who followed him to heaven on August 10th of this year.

Dear father of Betsy (Mike) Price, Kathryn (Scott) Shaw, Kelley (Joe) McCarthy, Scott (Katy) Burner, and Polly (the late Randy Heseman) O’Hara.  Grandfather of Luke, Emily, Samantha, Olivia, Kate, Scott, Michael, Ryan, Nathan and Alicia. Great-grandfather of 17.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Madeline Herron, and sister Carole Ann Foehrkolb. He is survived by his sister Mary (Alan) Artimisi.

Jim was born and raised in Collinsville, Illinois. Jim was always a worker. He started at the Collinsville dress factory (where he unknowingly worked with his future mother-in-law, Alice O’Hara), spent time as a staff writer for the St. Louis Globe Democrat, enjoyed being a panelist on Parker Wheatley’s “Eye On St. Louis Show”, and walked the wheat harvest” during his youth. He loved telling his grand children about his adventures.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University and his law degree from Washington University. Jim spent his professional career as a partner at Lewis, Rice, & Fingerish in St. Louis MO, where he practiced maritime law and was an exceptional litigator. He was also a lecturer at Washington University in the early 1970’s.

The family would like to thank Claridge Court and all of the staff in the Health Center for their loving care of Dad over the past two years. They loved him, laughed with him, and provided him with excellent care. They even asked for one of his many hats to keep as a memento. Many tears were shed and hugs given.

We would also like to thank Ascend Health Hospice for their loving care during Dad’s final days and helping his transition home to the Lord.

A funeral mass will be held 10 AM, Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park, KS.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation, in Jim’s name, to The Parkinson’s Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.