James graduated from Kossuth High School, Class of 1949. Following high school he served in the U.S. Army until September 16, 1953. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He married his sweetheart Dorothy (Dot) L. (Temple) on February 16, 1952, and they celebrated 39 years of marriage until her death on August 11, 1990. After his service in the Army, James and Dot moved to Kansas City in 1955. He began his career in the concrete business by going to work for Stewart Sand from 1955 to 1982. He then worked for KC Ready Mix from 1982 thru 1990, and then moved to Fordyce from 1990 thru 1993. James then retired in 1993.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother Howard Wages, a sister Mildred (Wages) West, and a brother LeRoy Wages Jr., by his beloved wife Dorothy (Dot), and son Larry Jay Wages, and his 1st great granddaughter Bailey Marie Wages. Surviving is a sister Violet (Wages) Mitchell, a son Kenneth and Peggy Driver of Grandview, MO, a daughter Karen (Wages) Ernst and husband Brian of Watertown, MN, a daughter-n-law Nora Wages of Kansas City, MO; Grandchildren: Jason Wages of Grandview MO, Jennifer McConnell and her husband Phil of Lee's Summit MO, Justin Wages and his wife Hollie of Peculiar MO, Jeffrey Swartz of Topeka KS, James Swartz of Overland Park KS, Jessica Swartz of Grandview MO, Joshua (Wages) Martiny and his husband John of Gardner KS, 12 Great Grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers: Jason Wages, Justin Wages, Joshua (Wages) Martiny, James Swartz, Brennen Wages, Aidan Wages
In his later years, James found much joy in spending time with his great grandchildren.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 10:30am-12:00pm at McGilley & George, 12913 Grandview Rd, Grandview, MO 64030. The funeral will start at 12:00pm. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, MO at 6901 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131
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