James “Jim” Venyard, of Independence, Missouri, passed away at home on November 15, 2020.
Jim was born in September of 1941 to Peter Venyard and Barbara Carson. He lived in Independence his entire life. He had the best stories about going to the movies every Saturday on the Independence Square, being a paper boy and attending the opening of the Truman Library. He retired from MODOT as a maintenance Crew Leader. Jim was the person who maintained the signs over the freeways while traffic sped below him. He also plowed snow for hours after his normal shift ended, making our freeways safe. Jim was an animal lover and is now with his beloved Brownie. Dad was an artist. We have several of his paintings that decorate our home. He donated one of his best paintings to North Star Recovery Services. Dad donated to Boy’s Town, National Law Enforcement Officers Fund, and the St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School for many years. He had a great sense of humor. He told some of the best “Dad” jokes. Often times his sense of humor brought light in times of darkness.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Barbara; his brother Warren; several of his loving sisters; and two wives he loved very much and was devoted to, Sonja Venyard and Deborah Venyard.
Survivors include “his girls”, Katherine Venyard and her daughter Mary McCaslin; his sister, Goldie Toia and her three sons; many nieces who knew him as “Uncle Jimmy”; and his nephew, Larry, who was like a brother.
A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date. Please send contact information to Heartland Cremation & Burial Society to be included in notification of time and place for future celebration or leave contact information in the condolences.
Memorial donations may be sent to Heartland on Katherine and Mary’s behalf, or visit their gofundme campaign at the following link:
https://gf.me/u/za4mpg.Visits: 3
Kat and Mary
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad/grandpa.
You will always be in my thoughts and prayers!
Beautiful service.
Love, Connie Holmes
Your dad was a kind man and we always had fun when we got together. He loved you girls with all his heart. Now he’s in heaven with your mother and , walking with Brownie. Will miss you Jim Venyard.
Candy Saunders