July 25, 1946 - November 6, 2026
Jim Sandy, 80, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed peacefully in the loving presence of family, on November 6, 2026 at Quality Care Living LLC in Shawnee, Kansas. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 6-8 pm at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Lenexa, KS. 66215. Private family burial.
Jim was born July 25, 1946 in Lawrence, Kansas to Virginia Lee Sandy and Clarence Gordon Sandy. His earliest days were spent living at Sunflower Village, near DeSoto, Kansas where his parents worked at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant. His family would then move to rural Shawnee, Kansas where his father built a home for his wife and their children, Jim, his older sister Sandra and his younger sisters, Shirley and Barbara. It was a happy childhood, where Jim recalled running through the woods, fishing, and spending all day finding new adventures at every turn. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Shawnee, where he was encouraged in his faith in God, which would prepare him for the challenges he faced far too soon.
Tragically, Jim’s parents would both pass when he was only thirteen years old. He and his sisters would be sent to live with relatives, it was a huge change for Jim to move from his playful existence in the vast countryside to the confinements of living in a city neighborhood. Even so, Jim made the most of the cards he was dealt. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1963. He had many fond memories of Wyandotte, he most enjoyed his time in a Stage Craft class where he made sets, learned to operate stage lights, and control the curtains for theater productions.
Soon after Jim graduated high school, he attended Metropolitan Community College where he met his wife Dolores at a dance. The two were drawn to each other, and married a few months later. Jim was just nineteen, and Dolores, twenty-one, when they married on May 14, 1966. Jim and Dolores had two children, Bill, born in March 1967, and Jamie, born in March 1969.
Jim’s early work history included work as a mechanic, then many years with J.A. Tobin Construction Company in highway construction. After working for a small electrical contracting company he studied for and became a licensed Master Electrician. He worked with Travel Clean Carwash as a maintenance electrician, designing and maintaining control panels that operated carwash machinery. For a time, he worked as a building inspector for the City of Prairie Village, Kansas. Eventually, Jim became a self-employed electrician, operating as Sandy Electric. Years later, Jim was delighted when his eldest grandson, Phil Frame, followed in his footsteps and worked side by side with him for more than a decade, until his retirement.
During his lifetime, Jim enjoyed many interests and hobbies. He had a life long interest in short wave radio and was a licensed ham radio operator under the call sign WBØNDP, and was proficient in morse code. For many years he enjoyed racing go - karts with his brother in-laws, son, and nephews. Jim was also a skilled woodworker making many pieces of furniture and home furnishings for the family home. He loved to read about history. For his own personal enrichment he took one class a semester while he worked full time and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Johnson County Community College in 1998. Jim loved movies, his favorite was “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which filled his heart with joy.
Survivors of Jim’s immediate family include, his loving wife of 60 years, Dolores V. Sandy; Son, William James “Bill” Sandy Jr.; Daughter, Jamie L. Stewart and husband John; Grandson, Phillip M. Frame; Granddaughter, Jillian K. Sandy; Grandson, Benjamin D. Sandy; Sister, Sandra Lee Sandy.
Preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Lee Sandy and Clarence Gordon Sandy; Sister, Shirley Heinrichs; Sister, Barbara Cowher.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Tony and Margaret, and all of the dedicated staff at Quality Care Living LLC, Shawnee, Kansas. They cared for Jim with gentleness and great compassion.
