James Francis Tearney, P.E., passed away December 15, 2018, at his home in Leawood, KS. He was born in Kansas City, KS, on December 19, 1926, after his identical twin brother, Ralph; they were the sons of Ralph and Mary Tearney. Jim grew up in Saint Joseph, MO, and graduated from Central High School in 1944. He then attended and was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. There he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve in 1947. Jim served as a cadet and mid-shipman aboard the S.S. Pierre Victory carrying cargos of bombs, machinery, and construction material to Tinian and Wake Island in the Pacific theater during WWII. Upon the conclusion of the war, he continued to serve as a mid-shipman on a cargo ship carrying general cargos from New Orleans, LA to Havana, Cuba, then returning with cargos of sugar from Cuban ports. After graduation from the Academy in December of 1947, he signed on a cargo ship in New Orleans as a ship’s officer, and sailed the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. During the Korean War, he was on active duty in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Walker, operating in the Sea of Japan with Task Force 77. After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1952, he joined Burns and McDonnell Engineering. During his tenure, he managed numerous power plant construction projects, including the Kaw Power Station in Kansas City, KS, James River Power Plant in Springfield, MO, and multiple power plants for Alabama Electric in Andalusia, AL. In addition to powerplants, he was heavily involved in the construction of Washington Dulles International Airport and Kansas City International Airport, to name a few. He was Vice President General Manager of Air Quality Control Division until his retirement in 1989. While he was working in Springfield, MO, he met his wife, Mary Ruth Asher. They married in August of 1958, their son Phil was born the following year. Jim was an accomplished pilot, avid golfer, and enjoyed vacationing in Destin, FL, and at their lake home in Cape Fair, MO, on Table Rock Lake. Jim was preceded in death by his father Ralph Edward Tearney, mother Mary Fellman Tearney, twin brother Ralph Tearney Jr., and sister Elaine Tearney. Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Asher Tearney, son Phil Tearney, daughter-in-law Sherri Doepke Tearney, and granddaughter Rachael Tearney, as well as many other family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missouri State University Foundation, James F Tearney Engineering Scholarship. Donations by mail can be sent to 300 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-836-4143. Private family service in Ozark, MO.
