James P. "Jim" Aylward, Jr., 92, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Sunday morning, April 17, 2011. Visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 25, at St. Elizabeth Church, 75th and Main, KCMO, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery following the service. Jim was born June 20, 1918, the son of James P. and Clara (Stanley) Aylward. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Church for over 50 years. He attended grade school at St. Elizabeth School and Rockhurst High School, where he graduated 75 years ago in 1936. He attended the University of Notre Dame and then began law school at the University of Michigan. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Jim joined the Army, where he attained the rank of Major and served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He participated in the battles in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Jim returned home and resumed law school, this time at the University of Missouri - Columbia, receiving his law degree in 1949. He served as law clerk to the Honorable Albert Ridge, U.S. District Court Judge, 1949-1950, and then joined his father and his uncles in the practice of law in downtown Kansas City. In addition to practicing law in Kansas City for 42 years, Jim served as first assistant county counselor in Jackson County, 1966-1970. In 1970, Jim was elected to a four-year term as Jackson County Tax Collector. He ran unsuccessfully for Lt. Governor in 1972, and for Jackson County Executive in 1974. In 1974, Jim was appointed as Public Administrator of Jackson County, a position he held for 16 years. He retired from that office in December 1990. He was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, and served as a delegate to three Democratic National Conventions: 1956, 1960 and 1968. Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage, and developed a tradition of sending newsletters to all of his many friends on St. Patrick's Day, rather than sending Christmas cards, relaying news, updates and funny anecdotes about family and friends - always signed in green ink with his felt-tipped "flair" pen. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Betty (Bourk) Aylward; a son in infancy, Jude; three sisters and their spouses, Clara Kerwin and husband, Vince; Catherine (Kate) Hayes and husband, Tom; Mary Louise Snitzmier and husband, John. He is survived by six children, daughter, Sue George and husband, Bobby; son, Jim Aylward and wife, Patty; son, Tim Aylward and wife, Jane; son, Terry Aylward and wife, Stephanie; daughter, Sherri Hendricks and husband, Dave; daughter, Shauna Fletcher and husband, Steve; 18 grand children and 14 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff of Brighton Gardens in Prairie Village for their kind attention to Jim during the past six years, and the nurses and aides of Grace Hospice for their loving care during the last days of Jim's life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Rockhurst High School. Condolences may be left at www.muehlebachchapel.com. M
Published in Kansas City Star on April 21, 2011