James Allen Woolsey

James Allen Woolsey, 76, of Independence, MO passed away December 31, 2022 at the Kansas City VA Hospital. He was the only son of Carl R. and Edith Hoeflicker Woolsey.

James was born July 24, 1946 in Independence, MO. He served in the United States Navy Submarine service on the USSN Dace and USSBN Theodore Rosevelt.

Known to the family and friends as “Jimmy” and as “Red” professionally throughout his 42 year career as a Southwestern Bell/ATT contractor. He specialized in phone company underground communications and rebuilds of manholes throughout the streets of mainly the metro area and beyond. James retired in 2008, and his love of organic gardening blossomed as well as his love of building and landscaping for pleasure. He lived his entire life by a motto taught by his father at an early age, “When a job is once begun, never leave it til it’s done, Be the labor great or small do it well or not at all” -author unknown but taught by Carl Woolsey. His mind was constantly working. He strived to improve upon the status quo. James’ personal motto became “Stand therefore” to the last milliseconds of his life on earth.

James was preceded in death by: parents, Carl R. Woolsey (1991) and Edith Hoeflicker Woolsey (2000).

Survivors include: sister, Margaret Woolsey-Reiss of Independence; nieces, Chelli (Jeff) Payne of Raymore, their three daughters, Lindsey (Mike) Miller and their children, John, Tristan, Sloan, Jasper, Caleb and Chase of Raymore, Maddison (Colton) Ruby and their children, Colton, Jr and Harper of Raymore, Chandler (Matthew) Carillo and their children, Octavian, Elliana and Dallis of Raymore; niece, Carla (Tom) Saunders of Kansas City and their children, James, Jacob, Sarah and John; several Woolsey and Hoeflicker cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on January 22, 2023 at New Covenant Ministries, 532 S Main St Independence, MO 64055. Military honors will be provided by Missouri Funeral Honors. Lunch buffet following the service.

The family would like to thank the Drs. and Nurses at the KCVA for their dedication and excellence of care provided. A special thanks to the Bayada Home Health Care Agency for their professionalism, their administrations of even the smallest details of his loving care and immeasurable support; and a huge thank you to his deeply dedicated nurses who just didn’t care for him, but loved him and provided him with an excellence of exceptional care to the end. He loved you!