James R. Markovich

James Ronald “Jim” Markovich passed away peacefully from natural causes on Friday, January 6, 2023, at the age of 77 with his family by his side.  James was born May 29, 1945, in Kansas City, Kansas to George Markovich and Caroline B. Radencic. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in May of 1963, earned an associate degree in Science in May of 1966 from Donnelly College and a degree in Psychology from Rockhurst College on June 1, 1969, before being drafted into the United States Army in December 1969.   Jim served in the United States Army in until 1975. During his service, Jim received many medals of various types of honor.  From 1969 to 1971 James served with the Army in Vietnam as a teacher, helping the Vietnamese soldiers learn to speak and read English. While in Vietnam, he met and married Yen Lan Nguyen on December 26, 1973. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. During those 50 years, Jim and Lan were blessed with four sons and eight grandchildren. After his honorable discharge from the military, Jim went on to work for Southwestern Bell and retired from AT&T. He spent his free time going on long walks, riding his bike and attending mass at all of the local churches. Jim was a man of great faith, and you could often find him in his recliner reading the Bible or simply praying the Rosary.

James is survived by his loving wife, Lan Markovich; children: John (Lisa) Markovich of Kansas City, Kansas, George (Carlona) Markovich of Shawnee, Kansas , James Lawrence Markovich of Shawnee, Kansas and Joseph (Veletta) Markovich of Kansas City, Kansas; grandchildren: Morgan Markovich, Austin Markovich, Jacob Markovich, Bryson Markovich, Braden McLaughlin, Brooklyn Markovich, Oliver Markovich and Hudson Markovich; a brother, George Vincent (Katherine) Markovich of Overland Park, Kansas and two sisters, Carol Ann (Leroy) Lilley of Springfield, Missouri and Sister M. Barbara Markovich of Lemont, Illinois and many cousins, nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.

Friends and family may come to the visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13th, 2023, at the Skradski Funeral Home located at 340 N. 6th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66101.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Christ the King Parish located at 3024 N. 53rd Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66104, burial in Gates of Heaven Catholic Cemetery at Parallel Parkway & North 126th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66109 immediately following the services. All family and friends are welcome to attend the luncheon to be held at Christ the King Parish, shortly after the burial.