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JAMES LOUIS GREENE SR., 79, OF INDEPENDENCE, MO., WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD ON MARCH 11, 2018. HE WAS BORN FEBRUARY 20, 1939 IN KANSAS CITY, MO. HE WAS LIFELONG KANSAS CITY RESIDENT. HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE U.S. ARMY IN FORT HOOD, TX. FROM 1961 TO 1963. HE WAS THE OWNER OF WILD CHILDS CUSTOM SHOP IN WHICH HE OPENED IN 1965. HE RETIRED HIS BUSINESS IN 2007. HE WAS AN ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST AND CUSTOM CAR & MOTORCYCLE DESIGNER WHO RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS FOR HIS WORK. HE WAS AN ORIGINAL MASTER IN HIS FIELD. HE WAS AN AVID KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FAN. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY. HIS FAMILY WILL MISS HIS PRESENCE ON THIS EARTH, BUT ARE COMFORTED IN KNOWING HE IS WITH THE LORD.HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS, OREN AND LUCILLE GREENE OF INDEPENDENCE, MO. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS SISTER, BETTY JEAN GARCIA YURAN OF INDEPENDENCE, MO., HIS SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW, JAMES L AND CONNIE GREENE JR. OF LAWSON, MO., HIS DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW, JACKIE AND RICHARD VOCHATZER OF HOLDEN, MO., HIS DAUGHTER JOLEEN GREENE OF AZ, HIS DAUGHTER STEPHANIE GREENE AND SON JUSTIN GREENE, 8 GRANDCHILDREN, JAMES, JASON, JOSHUA, ALEC, NIA, ALI, LUCA AND HUGO AND 3 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN INGRID, ANABELLE AND JAMES.VISITATION WILL BE HELD AT 9:OO AM ON FRIDAY MARCH 16, 2018 AT HEARTLAND CREMATION AND BURIAL SOCIETY IN RAYTOWN, MO., FOLLOWED BY A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT 10:00 AM. HONORARY SERVICES AT MISSOURI VETERANS CEMETARY IN HIGGINSVILLE , MO. TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.
James Greene says
I miss you dad. I keep thinking your going to call me again. I hear you at night and am comforted to know your my Holy Spirit when I need you. Your the greatest dad a kid could ever ask for.
Larry Farhner says
Jim… Sorry to heard you have shed this mortal coil. I only me met you a few times, but you were always bigger than life. Mostly visiting your great shop with my dad. He had the greatest regard for you and held you dear in his heart. You were one that kindly helped him in his last years and gave him a fiend to talk to. Your skill at customizing bikes was one of the best. But I love your sculpture and art you showed me in your office when I visited. You were such a multi-talented artist. Keep creating in the your next plane of the grand adventure.
Steve Church says
So sorry to hear this. Jim was a master of metal and fiberglass the things I remember he did were most definitely art in motion. His knowledge and way of looking at the after thoughts of a project will never be matched. Truly one of the nicest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. RIP WILD CHILD. YOU WILL BE MISSED.
Chuck Yurkonis says
I am so sorry to hear of your father passing. Your family is in my prayers.
John Redford says
Those of us who lived with his work were graced as much by his ironic humor.
Joleen Greene says
Dad used to drive me around showing me the cool things about Kansas City when I was a kid. The underground city, haunted buildings, cool homes and bridges. He loved finding the weird and unusual… and so did I! I miss that. And I miss you. I loved those trips and I will cherish those memories forever. I love you dad
Dean Johnson says
Rest in peace Uncle Jimmy.
Theresa Garcia Swartwood says
Our sympathies & prayers are w/you Aunt Betty for the loss of your brother.
Carol Meunier says
To all of Jim’s children & family,
I knew your dad & always appreciated his love, kindness & creativity. He was a good & complicated man. His love of all of you & the creativity he shared will live on.
May he rest in peace!
Love to you all,
Carol Meunier
Tom Davison says
I am so sorry to hear of my friend Jim’s passing. He was an amazingly special person, always kind and gentle with a smile and no ego. A legend in his field.
Kim Louis Chandler, AZ says
So sad to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim was a life long friend of my family. I remember hanging out at the body shop many years ago and of course remember his art work. The last time I saw Jim was at the casino with his son Justin.
Rest in Peace my friend
Rachel Powell says
Breaks my heart!! It’s been a little while since I’ve seen you. I have some great memories. Go ride in heaven with my dad!! You both are missed!!
?? Carrot cake!!
Donald Morgan says
God bless you and keep you. You will be missed by all that knew you. You were a life long friend ,and we will miss you. Wild Child’s will always be remembered. Thank you for always being a great friend to our entire family.
Sharon Lee @ Chuck Patterson says
Wow !!! What a disappointment that nobody notified us about my cousins passing !! I had spoken with Jim several times about someone in his family letting us know if he turns ill or passes. Our contact number was in his phone book. It’s sad that we only found out after much searching because we weren’t able to contact him what with his phone being disconnected. May the good Lord watch over all his family. We will miss him.
Everett L. Martin says
Well Cous. you are in a good place now..with Our Lord Jesus. Did enjoy our last two visits back in the fall of 2017…Was surprised to here of your passing..Seems no family was notified. Anyway rest in peace Big Jim..We loved you. You will be Missed…
John, Jerry and Nick Lewman says
Well Jim, you as usual took the lead for us. Jerry, Nick and I look forward to meeting you again soon in the big bike shop in the sky.
Frank Tucker says
I’m sorry I didn’t know Jim had passed. I wish I could have said goodbye to one of the most original people I have ever known. Smart, talented and a knack for making you feel better about yourself when you needed it. Jim was a mentor and a good friend to me. He hired me straight out of Body Work School in the Packard building. He donated some of his time and expertise to the class, from time to time. I was going through a really tough time in my life and Jim helped me immensely. Later on in life I would meet up with him, now and then, and he would always say ” Of course I remember you, you bring the bourbon every time we meet.” We shared many a wonderful time around that crazy painted desk. I met his son at the new place on Holmes years ago, and we talked for a bit. I hope he is doing well. Well Jim, just like you told me those troubles had to make their way through me and I did become a better man for it. I became a better man knowing you. Peace, my friend.