Mr. James M. Rollins, Jr.

James Marion Rollins, Jr., age 95, passed away on March 6, 2025, at his home in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on February 22, 1930, in Kansas City, Kansas, to James Marion, Rollins, Sr. and Veola Austin Rollins. He was their only child. His mother, Veola, died when he was a young boy. Later, his father met and married Ida Mae Cope who readily embraced James Jr. as her son. He was nicknamed “Punkin” and was genuinely loved by Ida Mae whom he lovingly called “Mama”. After a while, he became a big brother when Judith Elizabeth was born followed by Lee Owen, Carol Jean, Linda Kay, Stephen Warren and Brian Neil. James grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Douglas Elementary School, Northeast Jr. High School, and Sumner High School. At an early age, he understood and was taught the meaning of working hard. He began to work with his grandfather, Charles Rollins “Paw Paw”, on his Ice and Coal Truck, one of the early Black-owned ice trucks in Kansas City. He would often tell stories of how hard the job was handling blocks of ice on the truck that was, at one time, pulled by two white mules. That work ethic continued throughout his life. He worked as a cab driver for OK Cab in his teen and young adult life. Employed by Continental Airlines for over 20 years, he was really proud that he could provide airline tickets to other family members. When Continental Airlines went out of business, he worked in the Kansas City school system until retirement. However, he wasn’t finished working! Like his grandfather, he became an entrepreneur forming his own private security company, J & R Security. He provided security for New Day Apostolic Family Church well into his 80’s. He was also a partner in a gun shop business. He was married to Barbara Jean (Moore) Rollins for 70 years, until her death in February 2023. He and Barbara were known to have plenty of fun in their early years...picnicking at Big 11 Lake and even going dancing and doing the `Jitterbug`. He was the father of three wonderful daughters, Jennifer, Cheryl, and Denise. Denise, the youngest, was his caregiver until his death. James always greeted his family and friends with a big smile and a big hug or handshake. Known as “Punkin” to his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, he loved to entertain them with oral histories of times past. For example, of him riding bicycles with his friends, becoming a Mason, working with his grandfather, about how his dad worked seven days a week, his Mama Ida Mae’s good cooking, sneaking into the house through a window scaring his sisters Judy and Carol, “cutting up” in class, teaching his brother, Lee, how to drive using the stick-shift on his cab, or loaning his car to Linda Kay, Stephen (Stevie) and Brian Neil. He absolutely loved his siblings! He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Rollins, his parents, Veola Austin Rollins, James Marion Rollins, Sr. and Ida Mae Rollins, his sisters, Judith Hicks and Carol Jean Epps and his brother, Stephen Rollins. He leaves to mourn daughters, Jennifer Maria Washington of Kansas City, KS, Cheryl Elaine Martin (Richard) of Lenexa, KS, and Denise Michelle Rollins of Kansas City, MO. Siblings-Lee Owen Rollins (Kay) of Randolph, NJ, Linda Kay Rollins of Kansas City, KS, and Brian Neil Rollins (Mary) of Houston, TX. Grandchildren-Joy Mitchem, Jermaine Rollins and Ryan Martin (Catie); Great Grandchildren-JaRon Bell, Jermaine Rollins, Jr., Jermale Rollins and Kiyan Martin; Great- Great Grandchildren- JaRaiya Bell, JaMyiah Bell, JaNyiah Bell and JaRon Bell, Jr. along with a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Funeral services Friday, March 21, 2025, 11:00am at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation from 10:00am-11:00am at the chapel. Arrangement entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. James M. Rollins, Jr.

February 22, 1930 - March 6, 2025