James Russell Kurzweil, 87, Harrisonville, MO, died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville with Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice or to the church.

James Russell Kurzweil, the first born child of Soloman Herman and Eleanor (Effertz) Kurzweil, was born at home on Shearer Road in Lee's Summit, Missouri on July 17, 1924. He departed this life on March 22, 2012, at the age of 87 years, 8 months, and 5 days. The family moved to Raymore, Missouri, where they operated a dairy farm located on the road known today as Kurzweil Road. He attended grade school and high school in Raymore.

He and Cecelia Belle Benjamin were united in marriage at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Grandview, Missouri on October 21, 1949. Eldest son, James (Jimmy) was born in 1952, second son, Thomas (Tommy) joined the family in 1956, and he felt blessed to be the father of three sons when Dennis was born in 1961. He and Cecelia lived and farmed in the Grandview area, purchased farm ground near Harrisonville in 1965; in 1970, moved their family into a house they had built on the Cass County farm. Their home became the headquarters for the family farm operation they proudly named Kurzweil Farms, Inc. Jim resided at home on the farm until November of 2010 when he moved to Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville.

"Big Jim" as he was better known, never "officially" retired. At the age of 80, he was still driving the farm's semi trucks. Although he no longer drove tractors or operated the combines, he was happy to continue feeling helpful to his boys by running errands, picking up parts, or supplies needed at the farm or at the family owned meat market, Kurzweils Country Meats. He was an early riser; first thing each morning, he would join friends for morning coffee to hear the latest news in and around the area. For many years, winters were spent in Mesa, Arizona, where he made many long time good friends. He enjoyed activities with friends, which included playing golf, shuffleboard, card games, dominoes, and occasional trips to the flea market to see if he could find any bargains too good to pass by. When home, he enjoyed taking trips to visit "Arizona friends" who resided in Iowa, Indiana, and various other states. He loved going to tractor pulls, rodeos, and was an avid viewer of the TV show, Bullriding. He found pleasure in making various RV trips with siblings and friends. He enjoyed hosting parties held at the farm irrigation lake commonly referred to as "Kurzweil Lake." In recent years, he enjoyed grandchildren coming to play cards or dominoes with him and found pleasure in seeing how long it would take them to realize they needed to keep an eye on Grandpa because he would hide cards or domino tiles in his shirt sleeves, pockets, or on his lap. To many, he will be remembered as a man who enjoyed jokes, pulling pranks, teasing, and giving anyone he could a "hard time."

Jim was proud to be the first generation of a family business, proud his three sons chose to join it as second generation partners, and he was thankful he had the opportunity to see them grow as partners in business and into "good men." He made the statement, he was aware when his time came to see their mother again, she would want him dressed in his "Sunday best"; he'd rather be wearing a pair of his comfortable bib overalls so to respect both their wishes, he wears his "Sunday best" and takes with him a pair of his favorite bibs, since he would want to have something comfortable to change into.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Louise Belcher, Maxine Dean and Lorene Butler and his wife, Cecelia. He is survived by three sons, James M. Kurzweil (Linda), Thomas R. Kurzweil (Julie) and Dennis H. Kurzweil (Linda); 10 grandchildren, Chris Kurzweil (Lora), John Kurzweil (Rachel), Jessica Kurzweil, Lori Selecman (Randy), Lisa Kurzweil, Phillip Kurzweil, Kaily Kurzweil, Mary Kurzweil, Chance Kurzweil and Zack Kurzweil; 5 great-grandchildren, Brielle, Caden and Ava Kurzweil, and Ryan and Lexi Selecman; one sister, Anna Marie Seba; one brother, Leo H. Kurzweil and many nieces and nephews.

Farewell Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. Thank you for all you have done for us.