OBITUARY Lloyd J. “Jim” Kissick, III September 4, 1950 – December 8, 2018 Lloyd James “Jim” Kissick III suddenly passed away at his home in Leawood, KS on December 8th, 2018. He was 68. Jim was born on September 4th, 1950 in Kansas City, MO to Lloyd James Kissick Jr. and Mary Catherine (Bauers) Kissick.
He was the only brother to his much-loved sisters Karen, Connie, Susan and Kim. He began working for his father’s construction company, Kissick and Son Construction, at the young age of 12. Through construction and sports, he formed a special bond with his father that lasted until Lloyd Jr’s death in 1974.
He attended St. Peter’s Catholic School and Rockhurst High School. While at Rockhurst High School he became a passionate fan and later a valued sponsor of Rockhurst Hawklets sports. After high school he went on to his beloved alma mater, the University of Missouri where he received a master’s degree in civil engineering.
In 1976 he met a beautiful blonde named Cecelia Ismert while working as the Director of Public Works for Jackson County (MO). Jim fell head over heels in love with her at first sight and they began their 39 year marriage on June 16th, 1979. He was the proud father of 3 sons, Lloyd IV (Marie), David (Monica) and Patrick and a cherished grandfather to Graciela, Lloyd V, Lucia, Gianna, Charles and Rose.
Being a father and grandfather was his greatest joy in life and he always treasured the many moments with them at sporting events and at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was a best friend, mentor and hero to his boys and loved to share stories and pictures of his grandchildren with friends and coworkers. Jim was an avid sports fan.
He was a season ticket holder with the Mizzou Tigers, Kansas City Royals and was a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder for over 50 years. Often times you would find Jim surrounded by his sons, many of his nieces and nephews and closest friends in parking Lot C of Arrowhead Stadium. Jim was famous for his tailgate parties before Chiefs games.
Jim was the President and Co-Founder of Kissick Construction Company. He and his nephew Peter Browne founded the company in 1994. Taking a gamble on himself, he decided to take a leap of faith and invest nearly every dollar he had into starting the company despite having 3 young children at home.
Though he was building a company, he still made time for his most important job: being a father and husband. He would coach his boys in basketball and attend every one of his sons’ sporting events or extracurricular activities, all the while working 14-16 hour days building his company. His passion, hard work, honesty and loyalty helped transform Kissick Construction from a small construction firm with modest roots into a $100 million firm with over 400 employees.
Jim was a pillar in the construction community and a mentor to so many. He was highly respected within the industry and was involved in the construction industry through various boards and projects. This included the Heavy Constructors Association, St. Teresa’s Academy Board of Advisors, The University of Missouri Civil Engineering Alumni Advisory Board of Directors, a member of the Civil Engineering Academy Distinguished Alumni at the University of Missouri and the Kansas City Area Development Council.
He was an irreplaceable figure in the construction industry. Along with his family, his friends and his career, Jim had a passion for the NAIA basketball community. Continuing the legacy his father started in the 50s, he supported the NAIA basketball tournament each year through the Honorary Coach Program and sponsored countless NAIA events.
He formed a special relationship with Georgetown College, a small liberal arts college in Georgetown, KY. Jim loved to cheer on the Georgetown College Tigers throughout every season and was a prominent figure on the bench during their 2013 NAIA National Championship. Georgetown College honored Jim with his very own championship ring, which was proudly on display in his office for everyone to see.
There is a Kissick Construction banner hanging proudly in the Davis-Reid Alumni Gym. Jim Kissick will forever have a special place in the Georgetown College community. Jim was an avid golfer who always enjoyed playing a round with his sons and many friends.
You could often see Jim enjoying a cigar at his lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks aboard his antique Chris-Craft boat. You could also see him at the helm of his Regal run-about with his beautiful wife, his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren in tow. He was famous for his big bear hugs and his charismatic personality.
He was loved and cherished by so many and will be dearly missed amongst his enormous group of family, friends and the entire Kansas City construction industry. Visitation will be 4-8:00 PM, Friday, December 14th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 701 E. Meyer Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64131.
Funeral Mass will be at Saturday, December 15 at 10:00 AM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and burial at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life following the burial from 1-4 PM at the St. Teresa’s Academy Gymnasium, 5600 Main St. Kansas City, MO 64113.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Truman Heartland Community Foundation Jim Kissick Memorial Fund. Please share a memory at www. mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.
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