February 26, 1946 - August 30, 2024
James “Jim” Stephen Bower valued above all else time with family and friends. He was kind to all he met and loved to explore and learn. He had a quiet studious nature, but when the situation called for levity, he could deliver the perfect one-liner. To Jim’s grandchildren he was the “big bad wolf” in games of hide and seek, “the old maid” in the card game that he never won, and their favorite “cookie monster”.
Jim was born on February 26, 1946 in Tacoma, WA. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Madison, WI. He attended West High School where he met the love of his life, Susan Juhl. Jim pursued his undergraduate degree at Harvard University (’68) and after their college graduations, Jim and Susan were married on June 22, 1968. The couple ventured to New York City where Jim attended Columbia Medical School (’72). He went on to his internal medicine residency and pulmonary critical care fellowship at the University of Michigan where he remained on faculty for several years.
In 1981 Jim accepted a position at Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic and the Bower family moved to Overland Park, KS. Jim cared for patients at Research Medical Center where he served as president of the medical staff and on the board of directors. Later, he earned a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Wisconsin (‘02) and became the Chief Medical Officer at Research.
Jim was a natural athlete. He enjoyed both cheering on his favorite teams and competing himself. He lettered in three sports in high school, played baseball for Harvard, beat his kids regularly in games of HORSE, and enjoyed tennis, golf, and boxing in his retirement. He also loved to learn and was a natural teacher. He spent hours with his children and grandchildren helping with homework, teaching them about the natural world, and reading them anything from bedtime stories to Shakespeare. Jim’s love of learning extended beyond books; he also loved traveling and the opportunity to learn about different cultures.
Of all his attributes, Jim was most beloved for his kind heart and genuine interest in the lives of the people around him. When you talked to Jim you felt seen and valued. Jim wanted each person in his life to truly understand how important they were to him.
James S. Bower passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 30, 2024 at the age of 78. James was predeceased by parents James & Eleanor Bower, brother Douglas Bower, and brothers-in-law Steven Lawrence and John Juhl. He is survived by his wife Susan Juhl Bower, sister Marilyn Lawrence, children Kimberly Ann Buckholz Bower (Gary), Kelly Bower Joffe (Edward), Steven James Bower (Laura), grandchildren Makayla, Megan, Matthew, Patrick, Owen, Avery, Stella, and Pierce, sister-in-law Josie Cusma-Bower, nieces Gina and Lisa, nephews Erik and Mike.
A remembrance will be held on Friday October 18, 2024 at 11:30 am at the Overland Park Arboretum, 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park, KS. A luncheon will follow the remembrance. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/JamesBower), the Prostate Cancer Foundation (http://joinpcf.funraise.org/fundraiser/james-bower) or the Friends of Arboretum (http://www.artsandrec-op.org/arboretum/donate or PO Box 26392, Overland Park, KS).
