James E. Fortune

James Fortune was born in Philadelphia Mississippi, to Herbert and Elzree Fortune on July 22,1955. He passed away  Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.

James married the love of his life Denise they were together over 44 plus wonderful years.

James graduated from Manual High School in 1974. After graduation he worked for the Kansas City Star for a couple of years, later he changed careers and worked for Armco Steel in Kansas City, MO in the Rod Mill Department for over 20yrs. While working for Armco he decided to advance his knowledge and went on to attend the Electronics Institute and graduated with honors with a degree in Electronics, Microprocessor, and Industrial Technology. James was also curious about fixing things in the home so much he enrolled in a Trade School at Vocational Technology where he received a degree in Heating and Cooling.

Later James career path changed when he landed a job working for the City of Kansas City in their Fleet Maintenance Department. You guessed it, working on cars and those huge trucks you see every day on the roads. He would say it was easy because he was doing what he liked, and he could do it with eyes closed. He was liked and admired by his co-workers. After 12 years James retired from the City of Kansas City in August of 2017.

James was the hardest working man you could possibly know. There wasn’t anything he couldn't fix. He loved to work on cars from the smallest to the largest part. Anything his hands could find to do, he did it.

James was a devoted husband, father, and friend. To know him pass that stern look he would give you, he was gentle as a lamb, and he did things for all out of love. James would do anything for anybody and wanted everyone to know that he valued them.

James was a faithful, devoted, and loving husband, father, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend with a huge heart. He loved his children, grandchildren, family, and friends. He bonded with his children and instilled in them the importance of taking care of things from cars to home appliances. They would get the whole experience of accompanying their dad to the wonderful world of hardware stores and auto shops, with special treats to end the day.

If you need something from him, you had better think hard about it first or call his wife to ask for you. Whatever you needed, James would provide, but watch out, there might be words of wisdom along with those looks that ended with a smile. James was a funny man, with a dry sense of humor. If you know his family, I'm sure every one of them could share stories that will make you smile or laugh.

He was an easy-going person when you got to know him. A man of few words but his looks would tell how he really felt. He was a good husband, whatever his wife wanted he would provide. They shared household chores together and sometimes James would let her take charge when needed. The only thing he didn't allow his wife to take charge of was working on his cars and cooking his navy beans. James was a key connoisseur, all trusted him, he literally had keys to open any and every door, car or shed. If you had a lock he had keys to it. When you saw him, you would see those keys on each side of his belt on every occasion. He was a man with many talents, family and friends knew it.

James Fortune did not have a set religion. He shared with his wife over the years he liked what Jehovah had done for her and his children. If his wife loved Jehovah, it was good enough for him too. He valued his wife’s opinion when it came to spiritual things and household matters. He shared with his wife whatever you decide then it was fine with him. He believed that he would soon be awakened according to Revelations 21:3-4.

,,He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Fortune Sr, one sister Sandra Fortune-Porter, two brothers; Rondell Fortune and Jeffery Fortune; one son-in-law, Rodney Millsap

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Denise Fortune (36 and holding), three children, Jessica Easter-Fortune, Mashonda Fortune-Millsap and Tahray (Kelse) Fortune; Two grandchildren, Tantana Taylor and Trinity Millsap.

Three sisters and four brothers; Brenda (Sylvester)Williams, Ivera Williams, Linda (Leroy) Gaither , Willie (Orenda) Fortune, Gralen Fortune, Johnny Fortune, Herbert Jr (Netta) Fortune and Damon Porter (brother in-law). Five honorary brothers, Oliver Lane, Shelby Williams, James Kelley, Samuel Easter and Elwyn Easter (Edward). Along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and extended families that he adopted throughout his lifetime.

He will  be missed by all who loved him.