James Scott (Jim) Latham

James Scott (Jim) Latham entered the gates of eternal life on May 16, 2026. He was born on March 24, 1942, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of M.E. and Leona B. (Atkinson) Latham. Growing up in Sedalia, Missouri, he graduated from Smith-Cotton High School and received a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1965 from the University of Missouri at Rolla.

Jim worked as a design engineer, project engineer, project manager, and ultimately as senior partner and senior vice president with the engineering firm, Black & Veatch. During his career, he was engaged in the design and construction of water and wastewater facilities for numerous cities across the country and in Cairo, Egypt. In 1992, he was inducted into the Academy of Civil Engineers at the University of Missouri at Rolla in recognition of his achievements in the field.

In 1971, Jim married his one and only true love, Janet Kay Dieckmann, beginning a 55-year love affair. Their life together centered around their shared faith in their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, their fervent love for one another, their love for and devotion to their children and grandchildren, and the many friendships that they made living in Kansas City and in the Detroit, Michigan area.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Janet; his children, Nicholas, Timothy, Sarah (Dan), and Daniel (Mary); and his grandchildren, Catherine Latham; Samuel, Benjamin, Noah, Hannah, and Ethan Decker; and Anna, Leona, and Penelope Latham. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Hunnell, and nephew, Scott Hunnell; as well as his brothers-in-law, Ron Dieckmann (Gail) and Stan Dieckmann (Debbie).

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandson, Nathan Decker.

Jim was an avid reader with a wide variety of interests. Always surrounded by stacks of books, one of his favorite expressions was “so many books, so little time.” He was also a gifted writer with a genuine love for the written word. He loved spending time with his “darlin’” girl Sarah in a house full of boys. Jim also enjoyed playing golf, especially with his three sons, making up their own “fearsome foursome,” in whose company he achieved his once-in-a-lifetime hole-in-one resulting in an on-course front handspring by son, Tim.

Jim was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Kansas City, where over the years he was honored to serve as trustee, school board member, elder, and Director of Lay Ministry. While serving on the Board of Directors of The Lutheran High School of Kansas City, he was active in the acquisition and establishment of the LEAF campus for Calvary Lutheran School and The Lutheran High School of Kansas City.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 1:00pm. Memorials, in lieu of flowers may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church and School or The Lutheran High School of Kansas City Scholarship Fund.