James E. Donnelly, Sr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James (“Jim”) E. Donnelly, Sr.

Jim, aged 89, formerly of Paola, Kansas, died peacefully on February 3, 2024. Born fourth into a family of thirteen children in Kansas City, Missouri to Joyce and John Donnelly, Jim went on to become a father of six, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of five. Jim was married in 1954 to Dorothy D. Derrick. They raised six children in Kansas City until they moved to Paola in 1968. Jim continued to commute to Kansas City for work at the A.O. Thompson Lumber Company, where he was a lead salesman. After 45 years of hard work, Jim and Dorothy retired to Thousand Oaks, California in 2000.

Jim and Dorothy were married for 59 years. Upon Dorothy’s passing in 2013, Jim devoted himself to more of his volunteer work, including serving at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near his California home and as a long-time volunteer for the Thousand Oaks Police Department. He was named as Thousands Oaks’ Volunteer of the Year in 2019.

Jim was a caring family man. He had a huge heart and a tremendous love for people. He would engage anyone in conversation, usually learning much of their life story in his first encounter. He always maintained a very eclectic and diverse circle of devoted friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, five of his siblings and a daughter in law, Lacquanita. He is survived by all six of his children; Mary Beth Cutburth (Will) of Paola, Sherry Donnelly Canfield (Clark) of Calabasas CA, James Donnelly Jr. (Gladis) of Wichita, KS, John P. Donnelly of Wichita KS, Kathleen Kurtenbach (Douglas) of River Forest IL, and Ben H. Donnelly of Wichita KS.

A funeral mass in memory of Jim’s life will be held on May 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 E. Chippewa Street, Paola, Kansas, with a reception at Holy Trinity immediately following the mass.

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