James Paul Geck, 62, of Overland Park, KS passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 14, 2025. Funeral Mass will be at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St. in Overland Park, later this spring. Details will be available at the funeral homes website at a later date.
Jim was a special person to his family and to the people who knew him. Although born with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Jim had abilities that many people lack. He was a calendar savant, impressing family and neighbors by telling them on which day of the week their birthdays and important holidays would fall. He could navigate the country and remember the details of maps and locations of places visited, most notably any churches attended. He loved Catholic ceremony. Jim could recite an entire mass, including hymns. Church holidays were particularly important to him, and he always enjoyed a booming “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” during the Easter service.
Throughout his life, Jim was supported by the love and care of his parents, Douglas and MariAnne (Wolberg) Geck, and regular weekend retreats at their home. His parents were dedicated to Jim and to other people with special needs. With them, Jim enjoyed vacation road trips to visit his siblings and their families, who had spread out across the country. His siblings looked forward to his visits and in later years to Jim’s frequent phone calls. Sadly, Jim lost his father in 2019, and his mother in October 2024, but he remained comforted by his faith that he would see them again.
Jim had an inquisitive gregariousness in conversations with family, friends, and caretakers. His questions could be persistent and he often looked for confirmation of what he already knew. Jim loved his vacations, but he also loved the creature comforts of his home at Life Centers of Kansas. His housemates and caretakers were special to him, and he loved living independently. Jim liked solving jigsaw puzzles, watching sports and videos, bowling, swimming, and riding his bike. For many years he served as an usher during mass at Sacred Heart Church in Gardner, helping parishioners to their seats and encouraging them to fill the donation basket.
In his youth, Jim relished the annual Special Olympics. He could dominate the lane in basketball, swim like a fish, and exude joy running track. He did not pass up an opportunity to visit Worlds of Fun, riding rollercoasters and flume rides—but only after first learning how fast or how high each ride went. His love of amusement parks started on a vacation when he was 8 years old. While initially terrified, Jim found utter joy while riding Disneyland’s “It’s a Small World.” Jim’s siblings still pass on this family story and believe that his life-long love of the song was also Jim’s wish for world peace.
Jim graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1982. After graduation, he lived in several group homes in Gardner, Lenexa, Olathe, and finally Overland Park. Jim worked for many years at Johnson County Developmental Supports and retired in 2020. Over the years Jim enjoyed the support of a team of devoted caretakers and his family would like to recognize the loving care provided by Life Centers of Kansas, Arcare, and JCDS, with special gratitude to Candi Carpenter and Angela Pitts.
Jim was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on August 23, 1962. He is survived by brothers: Duane Michael (Theresa Deily) Geck of San Rafael, CA; Jay Douglas (Tanya Barnett) Geck of Olympia, WA; Gary Wallace Geck of Takoma Park, MD; Paul Joseph (KennaKay Hyatt) Geck of Blue Lake, CA; and sister AnnMarie (Brian) Helmke of Boca Raton, FL. He was a joyful, inquisitive uncle to Kevin Geck, Richard Geck, Michelle Geck Gilman, Sofia Geck, Helena Helmke, Jack Helmke, and Liam Helmke.
Contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the Special Olympics of Kansas at www.soks.org or to Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports, 10501 Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS 66219 at https://friendsofjcds.org.