James David "Jim" Albin

James David (Jim) Albin, 74, of Independence, Mo., passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. He now joins his loving parents, Alfreda (Skeets) Albin and Fred Albin, as well as his brothers, John Albin and Glenn Albin, in eternal rest.

Jim was a highly successful athlete and excelled in football, earning All-American honors as a running back at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo, where he went on to be inducted into their sports Hall of Fame. He was also a standout player for the St. Mary’s High School football team, competing for a state championship there. After a brief NFL career playing cornerback, Jim played extensively in the National Touch Football League (NTFL), and was also inducted into its Hall of Fame.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., Jim was a nearly lifelong resident of Independence, Mo. and a well known face in his community as the manager of the Blue Ridge Market, his family’s grocery store. Jim later worked for Carroll Parts in Kansas City, Mo., for 25 years.

Jim’s presence lit up a room. He loved being in a group and was always excited to meet a stranger, whom he had the gift of making feel like a longtime friend. An avid fan of any and all sports, Jim loved coaching them as well. He coached his son’s baseball team for nine years, as well as a youth basketball team.

Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Robin (Allen) Albin; his son, Joshua Albin, and his beloved daughter-in-law Jennifer Albin; and his grandchildren, James Albin, Sydney (Sam) Albin, and Sophia Albin; as well as by his brother, Gerald Albin, and his sister, Judy Albin.

The family will receive friends at a 2:00 p.m. visitation at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, located at 18020 E. 39th Street in Independence, Mo. A memorial service will follow at the same location at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers and given the number of affected family members, the family kindly requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, which accepts memorial donations at:

https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)