Shawnee, KS – James V. Heaton Sr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great‑grandfather, died peacefully on September 17, 2026 at the age of 92. He was born on February 13, 1934, at home in St. Louis, Missouri, with the assistance of a midwife. His parents, Edward Franklin Heaton and Grace Marie Byington Heaton, called him their “miracle baby” after he turned in the womb moments before birth and entered the world weighing 10 lb.
Early life and work
Heaton grew up in a working‑class neighborhood in St. Louis. He rode his bicycle to school and spent afternoons exploring the city’s alleyways with his close friends Frank Windegger and Bob Allen, even biking across the Eads Bridge to Illinois. His sunny disposition earned him the nickname “Sunny” among his Sunday School peers.
By age 12, Heaton was already contributing to his family’s income, delivering newspapers, setting pins at a local bowling alley, and selling soda pop at Sportsman’s Park, the home field for the Cardinals and Browns. He continued to work a variety of jobs throughout his life, including positions at Kroger, Fred Harvey’s, the Pacific Railroad, Coca‑Cola, Wonder Bread, Freund’s Bakery, Site Automotive, Prestolite Batteries and Rockford Products. In 1967 his career moved him to Overland Park, Kansas, a relocation that set the stage for the next chapter of his life.
Family and faith
While attending Cleveland High, Heaton met Carol Leibundgut. After a high‑school football game, Heaton escorted her home when she felt unsafe on a city bus. Their friendship blossomed into a marriage that began in early 1952 when Heaton, then 18, drove his blue 1939 Ford convertible with his 17‑year‑old bride to a small border town in Arkansas, where a justice of the peace married them.
The couple raised four children in a modest two‑bedroom home in Crestwood, Missouri: Cheryl Christine (born July 1952), James Jr. (August 1954), Karen Elaine (November 1956) and Ken (July 4 1961). In 1974 Heaton and Carol publicly committed their lives to Jesus Christ, being baptized as adults, renewing their marriage vows and placing Christ at the center of their family.
Later years
After retiring from Rockford Products, Heaton fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving to Florida, where he and Carol lived for 19 years. When Carol’s health began to decline, the family sold their Florida home and returned to Shawnee, moving into Wyndham Place. Carol passed away on February 4 2018 after a four‑year battle with Lewy‑Body Dementia, just 12 days shy of their 66th wedding anniversary. Heaton cared for her throughout her illness, handling all household duties and providing unwavering support.
Following Carol’s death, Heaton formed a close friendship with Mary Palmer, a fellow Christian who brought companionship and love into his later years. Heaton’s children and grandchildren credit Mary for the comfort she provided during that time.
Family survivors
Heaton is survived by his daughter Cheri and her spouse Kirk Johnson of Lynnwood, Washington; son Jim Jr. and his spouse Pamela Heaton of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter Karen and her spouse Rob Page of Belleville, Illinois; and son Ken Heaton of Williamsburg, Iowa. He is also survived by nephews Paul Heaton of Elk Grove, California, and Bill Heaton of San Ramón, California; ten grandchildren and numerous great‑grandchildren.
Memorial services
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia Drive, Lenexa, KS, on October 14 2026 at 11:00 a.m., followed by fellowship and food. A private family gathering for inurnment will take place at Johnson County Memorial Gardens at 3:00 p.m. the same day.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
