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James Throckmorton Obituary
Dr. James C. Throckmorton
December 4, 1949 - July 14, 2025
Leawood, Kansas - Dr. James Conrad Throckmorton, age 75, quietly passed away on July 14, 2025. Greatly loved by family and a lifetime of steadfast friends, Jim was a lifelong resident of the metropolitan Kansas City area.
Born on December 4, 1949, Jim attended Ruhl and Hale Cook elementary schools, Bingham Junior High and graduated from Southwest High school in 1965 as a class officer, lettering in football and track, and meriting National Honor Society and Missouri Boys State honors. In his senior year he was voted "most friendly boy" in his class. He was a Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Jim graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS degree in zoology. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity and served as its rush chairman. He continued his studies earning an MS in zoology before entering the dentistry program at University of Missouri -KC. With his new DDS degree, he sought experience and adventure by joining the US Army, practicing at a post in Wildflecken, Germany for 3 years. He returned to Kansas City to set up his own private practice establishing the Swiss Chalet dental office in Brookside. He served this community, providing great care and friendship to a host of patients for over 35 years.
Jim was a loving father to Lucas, Ada, and Ari. He supported many of his children's activities, including being a judge for the Shawnee Mission East debate team and an ever-ready soccer dad in both high school and league tournaments throughout Kansas and Missouri.
Keystone (Broadway) Methodist Church was his lifelong religious family. He shared a strong tenor voice in the choir and supported many of their philanthropic activities for the community at large. A peace garden to honor his service is presently being erected on the grounds of the church.
Throughout his life Jim was an avid runner, swimmer and cyclist. He competed in numerous marathons and triathlons in the United States, Europe and Australia. He was often seen running with his three Dalmatian dogs-a true dog whisperer. He enjoyed the organizations Kansas City has to offer, including the Nelson-Atkins Gallery of Art, the Kansas City Philharmonic, and the Kansas City Zoo, all of which he was a supporting member. Needless of say, he loved the Chiefs and the Royals.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Mary Barnes Throckmorton, his sister Barbara Drinka and his niece Emily Throckmorton. Jim will be greatly missed by his entire family to include his brother Daniel Throckmorton and his wife Debby of Leawood, Kansas, Jean Jakes of Fairfax, Virginia, his great friend Pat Galloway and scads of nieces and nephews to include Marc Rankin, Jamie Rankin, Ginevra Drinka, David Jakes, Lara Jason, Andrew Jakes and James (Jammer) Throckmorton and innumerable friends.
Memorial Services will be held on Monday July 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Keystone Methodist Church. Committal of his ashes will follow at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Keystone Church, A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at a later date in the fall.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Kansas City Star from Jul. 15 to Jul. 16, 2025. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/james-throckmorton-obituary?id=58881588#:~:text=Jim%20was%20a%20loving%20father,tournaments%20thr
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Marsha Stiefel (Pinson)
Jim, not true friends, but I remember him as friendly, thoughtful, and sincere. Life may not have always been good to him, but it sounds like he was always good to life and those he encountered in it. His memory will surely be a blessing to those who knew him.
Tuck Milligan
The wonderful comments about Jim, I can only atest to. So I will leave a poem by Yehuda HaLevi, a 10th Century physcian, philosopher and poet.
Tis a fearful thing
Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch. A fearful thing to love, to hope, to dream, to be - to be, And oh, to lose. A thing for fool, this, And a holy thing, a holy thing to love. For your life has lived in me, your laugh once lifted me, your word was gift to me. To remember this brings painful joy. Tis a human thing, love, a holy thing, to love what death has touched.
Richard Kaiser (Kaiser)
Very sorry to hear of Jims passing. i remember him a veryfriendly and outgoing with a smile and kind words. RIP
Bud Young
I met Jim for the first time in summer football practice. Several of us jumped in the pool after a practice. I wasn't really any sort of swimmer back then. Jim came along and shoved me in. Well I went down a couple of times and he dove in and pulled me out. I can remember the fear in his face. Along side mine, both of us were probably in some sort of shock.
I started out playing second string right guard my sophomore year and Jim was the 2 nd string quarter back. His leadership skills shined . I moved on up to first a couple of weeks later after the first string guy left the team. So my interaction with him was less.
When I saw Jim at the last reunion, he appeared smaller and perhaps somewhat weak. My memory will always be of a really nice, strong, smiling guy, and that was there for me at the pool and on practice ground.
Janet Jackson told me of her visits with him as he served as her dentist. The guy just never changed...... . just a really quality guy.....
Robert Oliver
Jim and I grew up attending Broadway Methodist Church where both of our mothers taught Children's Sunday School classes ( We both usually earned prefect attendance pins at the end of the school year). Our friendship continued at Southwest where we both ran on the track team. Our paths went separate ways during college but several years later Jim and his family happened to move in just down the street from our house in Leawood and we watched both our families grow up together.
I lost touch with Jim when he moved to California but was fortunate to have some interaction with him when he moved back to KC following his diagnosis.
Jim was always a genuine guy, humble and caring for others. His smile and sprit will always be remembered
Bob Oliver
Nancy Ball (Clein)
I didn't know Jim well, but I remember him as a natural leader -- a big, solid guy whose beaming smile made everyone feel special. My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends.Mary Titterington (Edwards)
What a wonderful celebration of life for Jim. He certainly deserved all that was said by friends and family. RIP friend!❤️
Mary Dysart (Burrell)
I could hardly believe it when I read the announcement. Jim was a SUPERSTAR!. He had the best smile ever, . When you had a conversation with him he was actually interested in what you were saying. Jim was so kind, fun and respected by all. My sympathies to his children and family. He was a great guy and will be missed.
David Feingold
Reading Jim’s obituary made me proud to have him as a wonderful representative of Southwest High School.
Like everyone, I am saddened when I learn about the passing of a contemporary. It is a constant reminder of my own mortality, Over the years I have read comments made by fellow classmates, and most of the references or allusions go back some 60 or more years to interactions experienced in the days before high school graduation. For me, 60 years is three lifetimes ago. Of course, as we are all “Children of the Sixties” it is normal to reflect with nostalgia, back to a time when AM radio dominated the airwaves.
I would like to offer a suggestion. If there is someone about whom you have fond memories, or are just curious about how their life developed, get in contact with them. You can do it in person, via e mail, phone, or social media (many options today). I have done this several times, and I found the experience most rewarding. If they made a lasting impression on you, or there is a particular experience that comes to mind, let them know about it, and share a laugh, smile or tear. Remember, they won’t be able to read your comments when it posts, so take advantage of today. We are all north of 75 and playing the back nine. I wish everyone continued health and well-being.
David Feingold
Class 0f ’67
Sheila Hesselroth (Kilpatrick)
Like every previous comment, I, too, was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was a treasure to all who were fortunate to know him. His radiant smile and warm personality always made one feel special when in his presence. He will be missed. RIP Jim. You were one of the best among us.