February 19, 1937-July 25, 2026

Jim Overbay was born in Kansas City on February 19, 1937, to Dennis Patrick Overbay and Beulah Mae (Bookout) Overbay. He grew up in the Northeast area attending James Elementary School, Northeast Junior High School and Northeast High School. After two years at Kansas City Junior College, he went to the University of Missouri where he received a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1959.

Upon graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Jo Bradley, who was in the same graduating class. The couple continued to reside in Columbia, Mo. where Jim was a graduate teaching assistant supervising journalism students working at the University owned television station KOMU-TV.

He began his professional career as a reporter/photographer for KARD-TV (KSNW) in Wichita. He then returned to Kansas City as a reporter/assistant news director for KMBC-TV. He left the broadcasting business for a short time to become Communications Director for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

He returned to television in 1980 as News Director for KCTV5, a role he held for 13 years before being promoted to become News Manager for the parent company, Meredith Broadcasting.

Jim retired in 1998 and became an active volunteer for Senior Leadership of Johnson County, the Volunteer Center of Johnson County, Project Finish (tutoring), Meals on Wheels, the Overland Park Arboretum and the Huntington Farms Homes Association.

He leaves his beloved wife Linda; son Douglas Overbay of Overland Park; daughter Susan Giffin; son-in-law Chris Giffin and grandchildren Thomas Waters and Audrey Giffin; and surviving sister Linda (William) DeFoor plus many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Dennis Overbay and Ray Overbay. There will be a gathering of friends and family at a later date.