James Coney, Jr.

James Coney Jr., known here on earth as Jim Coney, was born in Dallas, Texas on December 10, 1948 to Jim and Martha Coney. He was the eldest of their four children. His family lived in several homes around the Dallas-Fort Worth area during his childhood. At age thirteen his parents moved the family to a Dairy Farm outside of West Plains, Missouri. In 1970, Jim moved to the Independence, MO area where he was introduced to the Restored Gospel, being baptized and confirmed in October 1970 at Far View Heights RLDS Congregation. While attending Eden Heights Congregation he received his call to the office of Priest and was ordained on December 28, 1975. Later at Outreach Restoration Branch he received his call to the office of Elder and was ordained on January 27, 2002. Early in 1970, Jim met the love of his life, Jean Shimel. They were married on November 5, 1970 in the RLDS Auditorium Chapel. Making their long-term home at 1701 Pollard in Independence. Jim and Jean, in their early years, made their church home at Eden Heights where they were active in youth work, Sunday School Teachers, Zioneer’s, Zion’s League and Boy Scouts. Later years, their church home was at South Crysler Restoration Branch. Again, being very active in youth work, Zion’s League, Youth Camps, Caravan’s, Retreats and serving a 2-year term on the Youth Council for the Conference of Restoration Elders. Jim deeply loved the youth. In 1978, he went into business for himself at Coney Tool, which is still in operation today. Jim had the privilege of children, being survived by all three. James David Coney of Kansas City, Charity Dawn Cornish of Independence, and Jeffrey David Thompson of Greenwood, Arkansas. He loved and enjoyed his five grandchildren, Kevin James, Mackenzie Ann and Kayley Marie Coney of Kansas City; Violet Jean and John James Cornish of Independence. After suffering many years from Migraines and Multiple Systems Atrophy, Jim passed to his new life on March 27, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jean Coney; his mother, Martha Coney of Independence, MO; two brothers, Robert Joe Coney of Houston, Missouri and John David Coney of Independence, MO; and one sister, Judy Ann Cervantes of Gladstone, MO. A memorial celebration will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the South Crysler Restoration Branch, 16101 E. Salisbury Rd, Independence, MO, and a visitation will follow. Contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 3100 Broadway, Ste. 1000, Kansas City, MO 64111.