Jr. James L. Naylor

James Lamont Naylor, Jr., 86, died peacefully at his home in Lee’s Summit, MO on March 17, 2021, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Jim, “Terry” to family, was born on June 28, 1934 to James Lamont Naylor Sr. and LeClercq Miller Naylor in Ridgefield, NJ. He was the eldest of their three children.

Jim attended the Pingry School, Basking Ridge, NJ and graduated from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA in 1956, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He was enrolled in the ROTC program and was a member of Theta Xi fraternity.

Jim began his career building water towers for Chicago Bridge & Iron, working throughout the northeastern states, which required numerous moves. A job change took him to Tulsa, OK. Another job change moved him back to Chester, NJ where he became very interested in local civic activities; he became a Town Councilman. He spent a brief time in Saudi Arabia. A career change brought him to Kansas City, MO, which then took him to Monroe, CT, where he met the love of his life, Doreen Timms. Together they moved to Lakewood Lake, Lee’s Summit, MO where they married in 1997.

Jim enjoyed camping, hunting upland birds, fishing, sailing, and canoeing on the many rivers in southern MO and, of course, Lakewood Lake, where he helped instruct Lakewood’s young children on the do’s and don’ts of sailing. Until he became very ill, he was active in civic activities and served on numerous committees and boards for the Lakewood community. During his “retirement”, he started a home inspection business and was a member of the local ASHI chapter.

He is survived by his wife, Doreen of the home; a son, James L. “Jody” (Nicki) III of Lee’s Summit, MO; a daughter, Janet (Mike) Rogers of Houston, TX; a stepson, Mark (Patti) Timms of Scottsdale, AZ and a stepdaughter, Penny (Kevin) Mauro of Flowery Branch, GA. Jim is also survived by a sister, Margaret Parker Naylor of Worcester, MA. A daughter, Elizabeth (Grant) Hartung preceded him in death, as well as a sister, Hope (Ed) Bohlender.

Jim was Pop to 7 grandchildren: Courtney (Benjamin) Cartee, Lindsey (Joseph) Finger, Matthew (Nicole) Hartung, Tyler (Katherine) Hartung, Michael Rogers, Paul (Elise) Rogers, Samuel Rogers, and 3 step-grandchildren: Gabrielle Mauro, Grace and Daniel Timms; and 8 great grandchildren: James and Claire Finger, Easton and Asher Hartung, Maddox and Griffin Hartung, Addison Cartee and Rohan Rogers.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Lee’s Summit, MO later this year.

Special thanks to Interim Hospice, and Deone, his nurse.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Lee’s Summit, MO later this year.

Special thanks to Interim Hospice, and Deone, his nurse.