James Russell Sullivan III

James Russell Sullivan III, “Jim” passed peacefully at home on February 26, 2024.

Jim was born March 6, 1942 in Kansas City to Audrey E Hustler and James R Sullivan Jr. An only child to Audrey, they lived in Kansas City for several years before settling in Blue Springs. A graduate of Blue Springs High School in 1960, Jim was drafted to the US Army and reported for duty at Ft Leonard Wood in January 1963.

In March 1963, he married Erma Robinett and they gave birth to James R Sullivan IV in November 1965. Jim worked at the Lake City Ammunition Plant. With the help of his stepfather, Jim was hired at the VA Hospital in 1970, where he served in the Engineering and Maintenance department until his retirement in 1994. It was there he met his wife Julie McCloskey, they married in 1973. Together they shared 50 years of marriage. Their daughter Jennifer was born in 1976, and their son Jason in 1980.

After his retirement from the VA, Jim worked as a delivery driver for Werner Dental Lab for over 15 years. Jim retired once again to help his daughter remodel two different homes all while looking after everyone else in the family. Jim quickly took on his favorite role, “Pops,” to his many grandchildren. He was our foreman, fixer, plumber, electrician, carpenter and a man of few words. We will be lost without him. His family is thankful for everything he taught us over the years.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother Audrey Hutsler, his grandmother Pearl, and his stepfather Delbert Whaley. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Julie Sullivan (McCloskey) and his children James R Sullivan IV, Jennifer Harper, and Jason (Shataun) Sullivan. His grandchildren include James R Sullivan V, Maya Harper, Jazmynne Watson, Jamila Sullivan, Ashanti and Avant Chambers, Jackson and Justin Harper, Jaliyah and Jai’Shawn Sullivan, and great-grandchildren Juniper, Jace and Jayla.

A visitation is planned for Saturday, March 16th at 11:00am at Brooking Heights Baptist Church, 9500 E 53rd St, Raytown, MO.