Grain Valley Remembers a Friend

The business community in Grain Valley was rocked this past weekend upon hearing the unexpected news that Developer Jim Kissick had passed away Saturday, December 8, 2018.

“As the news came in of his passing, a flood of thoughts came across my mind. My heart hurt of course for his family, work-family, and friends, but also for Grain Valley. Jim Kissick did not just own properties here. He treated Grain Valley and the community as if it were his home away from home. He impacted many lives, many of whom probably don’t even realize it. Jim gave more than he ever received and that is how he wanted it,” said Tasha Lindsey, Executive Director of the Grain Valley Partnership.

Jim Kissick was the President of Kissick Construction and a fourth generation Kissick in the business. He, along with some other local partners, also operated Valley Properties here in Grain Valley. Though he lived in Leawood, KS, Jim was very much a part of this community. As a matter of fact, he was just recently honored as the Truman Heartland Community Foundation Outstanding Citizen of Grain Valley for 2018. He held a seat on the Board of Directors for the Grain Valley Partnership and influenced several Grain Valley organizations with his business sense and work ethic, as well as his generosity. Some of those organizations were the Grain Valley School District, Bright Futures, Grain Valley Assistance Council, and of course, the City of Grain Valley and the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Jim was a friend to local businesses.

“The influence that Jim had here at the Grain Valley Partnership went further than monies given. He was the kindest man I ever met. Jim was a humble man and his success was not measured monetarily. His belief in our vision as an organization gave us strength, inspiration, and value. He had a way of leading, guiding, and teaching that gave confidence to all that were around him. Jim was a very successful business man, but his greatest accomplishment was helping those around him be successful,” Lindsey said.

Manager of Valley Properties, Kelly Smith, said “Jim came to me 6 years ago this month and asked me to manage his properties in Grain Valley. I was so grateful but did not know the first thing about managing properties. I was scared to death, but he kept telling me ‘you can do this’. I remember calling him multiple times a day and felt like I was such a bother as he had Kissick Construction to run and, as everyone knows about Jim, he was the busiest man in Kansas City. But Jim was always available no matter what! And he was the most patient, kind, caring person to me. Over time, things got easier for me and for him and the properties here in town, partly because Jim gave me the confidence I never had before I worked for him. He believed in me when I did not. He taught me to always be kind and to do the right thing even when I did not want to. He taught me to always give back, no matter if it was with my time, if I only had $5 to give or

if it was simply a thank you card. He truly cared about everyone and always had a helping hand to anyone and everyone! There will never be another boss, or friend like Jim! It was an honor and privilege to work for him. I was excited to go to work every day because of him, that was the kind of person he was. You just always wanted to be and do better! Thank you, thank you, Jim Kissick for believing in me! I will never have more respect for any person more than I had for Jim.”

“Kissick Construction has helped change the face of Main Street in Grain Valley in recent years by redeveloping buildings and significant investments in properties in the area. The impact that Jim and his company have had on the economic development in Grain Valley is beyond measure,” said Grain Valley Mayor Michael Todd.

Pastor Darryl Jones of Crossroads Church stated, “Jim is one of those good, good men, a friend to many of us and to Grain Valley. The mere mention of his name elicits comments highlighting his goodness, his generous heart and his care for this community. He carried himself with such humility, peace and joy - goodwill toward all men. He was the hallmark of the glad tidings brought to us by the angels those many years ago on the first Christmas.”

Jim’s accomplishments are far outside the Grain Valley city limits. Kissick Construction was part of the construction of the KC Live area in the Power and Light District in 2006, volunteered to assist in the demolition of 75 unstable and dangerous, abandoned homes in 2015, performed the infrastructure work for the Veterans Community Project in KC which provides “Tiny Houses” for Veterans. Kissick has had a major role in the rehabilitation of sewer and water lines for Kansas City, MO. The Kissick family has endowed a scholarship through the College of Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri, Jim’s Alma Mater. Additionally, Kissick Construction contributed to refurbishing Lafferre Hall in the College of Engineering at MU.

Jim has served on numerous boards in the Kansas City area, including 17 years with St. Teresa’s Academy and the Heavy Constructors Association. He was currently serving as the President of the National Utility Contractors Association. His company has helped construct sports stadiums for Rockhurst High School, Notre Dame de Sion High School and St. Teresa’s Academy. His company has also done underground pipe work and has built bridges for the state of Missouri.

Lloyd J. “Jim” Kissick, III built a pretty impressive resume for himself over the last 25 years since he brought back the family business. He’s left a pretty large footprint all over the Kansas City Metro. But here in Grain Valley, though we honor and admire his vast accomplishments and generosity, today we just mourn our loss and celebrate the life of a friend. Farewell, dear friend.