James (Jim) Rouchka

James (Jim) Rouchka, 85, of Raytown, MO passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024 at home with his loving wife and family by his side.

A visitation and Rosary will be held for Jim on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 6pm to 8pm at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, Raytown, MO. A visitation and funeral Mass will be held for Jim on Saturday, March 16, 2024 beginning at 10:30am (funeral Mass at 11:30am) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sedalia, MO. A graveside service with military honors will immediately follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Sedalia, MO.

Jim was born in Sedalia, MO, to Joseph and Elizabeth Rouchka on July 10, 1938. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated in 1956. After high school, Jim joined the Navy, spending time on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge, then working as an air traffic controller on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, finally completing his three-year tour in 1959. The highlight of 1959 though was when “Jimmy Joe” married his high-school sweetheart, JoAnn Sedlak, with whom he shared 64 wonderful years. Once married and settled, Jim worked in tool and die manufacturing and quality control for 41 years, where he made some lifelong friends. He was employed at Guston Bacon, Summit Engineering and Phelps Technology before retiring in 2000.

Although he took great pride in working in quality control, Jim absolutely loved his part-time job working for the KC Chiefs. He initially started working for the Chiefs in 1971 at the old Municipal Stadium. Fifty years later, in 2021, Jim was honored by the Chiefs for his years of service with a personalized jersey, presented by Clark Hunt on the field at Arrowhead. When not cheering on the Chiefs, Jim had fun playing golf with his children and with friends in a league. He was a devout Catholic, living his faith out every day. He mastered the art of cherishing the most important things in life – being engaged with family and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Dick) Rouchka and brothers Edward Rouchka, Jerry (Betty) Rouchka and Ron (Arlene) Rouchka.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn; four children and their spouses, James (Jane) Rouchka, Julie (Edward) Wernsman, John (Carrie) Rouchka and Jill (Cory) Hughes; two brothers, Steve (Debbie) Rouchka and Don Rouchka; 11 grandchildren, Anna Marie Wernsman, Isabelle Wernsman, Olivia Wernsman, Abby Wernsman, Ally Wernsman, Lucy Rouchka, Charles Rouchka, Evelyn Hughes, Julia Hughes, Henry Hughes and Owen Hughes; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Kansas City Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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