James Richard Odrowski, 67, of Lenexa, KS, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, in Washington, MO. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM on Friday, January 3, 2024, at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215. A celebration of life will follow on Saturday, January 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the home of Jim and Colleen, 8261 Harbinger St, Lenexa, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Reasons Rescue Ranch, 578 Buckeye Rd, Sparta, MO, a charitable organization dear to Jim’s heart, founded by his sister.
Jim was born on May 8, 1957, at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Kansas City, KS, to Edward and Stella Odrowski. Stella often recalled that church bells rang at his birth, a sign that he was destined for greatness and thus named him after King Richard. Jim grew up in Overland Park, KS, and graduated from Shawnee Mission North in 1975. A natural storyteller, Jim delighted in sharing tales from his youth, particularly his time helping in his family’s store, Sadecki’s Market, in Strawberry Hill. It was there that he and his father perfected their renowned Polish sausage recipe. Jim also loved sharing memorabilia and stories of following his cousin Raymond Sadecki’s major league baseball career, especially the 1964 World Series victory with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Inspired by his cousin Ray, Jim had a successful high school baseball career that earned him scholarships at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL, and Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA, where he graduated with a B.A. in Business/Economics. While at Point Loma, Jim took full advantage of his breaks from school by camping and hiking at national parks between California and Kansas City, a tradition he later continued with his children.
Jim’s tales of his Florida days were some of the most enjoyable, often punctuated by his iconic laugh as he recounted stories of camping on the beach in the Keys with friends, and on one occasion, fishing for their Thanksgiving dinner. He even worked security for one of his favorite artists, Jimmy Buffet, in Jimmy’s early days. So, if you ever find yourself at Captain Tony’s in Key West, raise a beer in Jim’s honor.
Jim’s love for the outdoors began in childhood, with many family trips out west to visit National Parks and hike the trails his father helped build in the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program that helped develop and conserve national parks. Introduced to fly fishing at a young age by his Aunt Alice, a champion fly fisher, Jim eagerly embraced the 5:00 AM wake-up calls to be on the river before the whistle blew. He later carried on these traditions with his own family, instilling a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife. All who knew Jim will surely think of him whenever they witness a beautiful sunset, a majestic mountain, or hear an owl hooting in the night sky.
As an adult, Jim settled on five acres in Spring Hill, KS, where he raised his family and some well-loved dogs and embraced the joys of country living. Summer weekends were filled with poolside fun, wiffle ball games, and grilling. Autumns brought walks in the woods and cozy campfires, while winters were spent hiking to the best sledding hills and ice-skating ponds on and around his property. As a dedicated member of the Arbor Day Foundation, Jim frequently received trees in the mail, which he eagerly planted to contribute to a greener future. Jim was a loving and supportive father, always present with his children, creating countless memories and making even the simplest activities feel special.
Jim enjoyed sharing his love of national parks with his children, creating unforgettable memories through adventures such as hiking in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, countless fishing trips in the Ozarks, and even a memorable two-week trek through Alaska. He documented these family travels with home videos, preserving the joy and wonder of their experiences together.
Jim inspired his oldest daughter’s passion for caring for wildanimals, his middle child’s love for sports, and his youngest son’s appreciation for fishing and service to his country. Jim was immensely proud of his son Joey’s decision to join the Navy in 2010, a moment that filled his heart with pride and joy. His children were blessed with a father who was not only loving and supportive but also their greatest role model. They strive to carry on his legacy, instilling the same values and love in their own children. Jim’s unwavering love and guidance will forever be cherished and remembered by his family.
In addition to being a wonderful father, Jim had a distinguished career in information technology, contributing to major initiatives for companies such as Sprint, General Motors, Westar Energy, and American Century Investments, as well as government agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Veteran’s Health Administration. His areas of expertise included Enterprise Architecture, IT governance, IT portfolio management, service-oriented architecture, component-based development, J2EE, and object-oriented analysis and design. In 2003, Jim founded his own company, ComponentWave, Inc. Recently, he worked in advanced technology areas, including mobile, Cloud, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Jim held an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in Hooksett, NH with a specialization in Information Systems and was a TOGAF 9 certified Enterprise Architect. He was also certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) and held CISA, COBIT, and ITIL certifications. Most recently, Jim joined Seaboard Foods in Merriam, KS, where he quickly became a beloved and integral member of their team.
While Jim’s education and experience were impressive, he will be most remembered in the business world for his strategic approach to complex situations. Jim applied his vision and skillset to achieve successful outcomes, leaving a significant impact on the industry. He was approachable, a good listener, and generous in sharing his knowledge with everyone he interacted with. His passion for disseminating knowledge culminated in the publication of his first book in 2018, Digital Business Ecosystem Patterns: Architecture Blueprints for Applying IoT, Blockchain, and Data Analytics to Achieve Business Outcomes, which has served as an invaluable resource for many professionals in the field.
Jim was a devoted history enthusiast, with a particular passion for sharing his father's adventures as an Army Captain during World War II. He memorialized both his father's wartime experiences and his mother's contributions on the home front in his acclaimed 2020 book, The Battle of Buffalo Wallow. Jim enjoyed connecting with other veterans who served alongside his father, as well as their families. He was also working on a follow-up story about the experiences of nurses during the war, highlighting the significant impact women had on the war effort.
Later in life, Jim and his wife Colleen made their home in Lenexa, KS, near Shawnee Mission Park, where they enjoyed countless beautiful walks together. They shared a passion for travel, with favorite destinations including Europe (where they visited their three grandchildren in Germany), Wyoming, Colorado, and the Missouri Ozarks. In 2023, Jim traveled to Poland, where he enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with his family and explore his heritage. Jim and Collen documented their adventures in stunning photographs and were on a quest to visit all 62 national parks. True to his nature, Jim became a cherished member of Colleen’s large Italian family, relishing lively gatherings and frequently hosting poker nights with family and friends. It's hard to imagine a bigger Chiefs fan than Jim, who thoroughly enjoyed the Reid/Mahomes era. Being a bit superstitious, during close games Jim would bring out his Hank Stram football, encouraging everyone to gather around and say a prayer.
One of Jim’s most valued roles in life was that of Grandpa. Children were naturally drawn to his gentle and kind nature, and his innate ability to connect with them through undivided attention made him one of their favorite people. Jim loved spending time with his grandchildren, often enjoying coffee dates and visits to the park. It was not uncommon for Jim to reach out on a Saturday morning to see if his grandson was available for a day of fishing or a quick football game.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Odrowski and Stella (Sadecki) Odrowski; his brother Edward Odrowski; and best friend Terry Barkley. Jim is survived by his sister Rita (Odrowski) Reasons (TJ); his wife and very best friend Colleen Boveri; former wife Julie McIntosh; children Jenni (Odrowski) Koch, Nancy (Odrowski) Hibbits (Joe); James Joseph Odrowski(Anna); step-children Jake Boveri (Sarita), Gabby Hardesty (Charlie Gilstrap); grandchildren Katie Koch, Tucker James Hibbits, Antoni James Odrowski, Emily, Elias, and Lucia Boveri; nephews Chris Hazelrigg (Jennifer, Andrew, and Lexie), Kevin Hazelrigg (Cortney, Madison, and Tyler); and best friend Larry Steinmetz.
Jim Odrowski was an extraordinary man whose life was marked by kindness, friendship, and a love for the simple pleasures, including an ice-cold beer shared with friends. Jim was a devoted family man who cherished his roles as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Known for his gentle and kind nature, Jim's warmth and generosity made him a valued acquaintance for those of us lucky enough to know him. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.