James W. Funderburke, Jr. 55 of Kansas City, MO died Friday, August 13, 2021. James W. (Jim) Funderburke, Jr. passed from this life to his heavenly home on Friday morning, August 13, 2021. He was born June 18, 1966, the second child of James & Bettye (Canady) Funderburke. He grew up as a part of the Metropolitan AME Zion Church family. At an early age, Jim accepted the gift of salvation God gave to us through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. Through faith, Jim was saved by the grace of God. He attended Raytown Schools, then worked many years as manager at Fast Stop Convenience stores all while raising 3 children. Jim was also an entrepreneur. He owned and operated several businesses in the Kansas City area, the last of which was an auto body shop in east Kansas City. "Diamond Jim" loved life and lived it to the fullest. On weekends when he wasn't driving his mom back and forth to Arkansas or Dallas, he could be found at the Lake of the Ozarks wining and dining. During those days, the blues could be heard loud and proud from his car speakers, and he would be singing right along with them; he had a great voice. When his health began to fail, he closed his businesses and generally stayed closer to home. He enjoyed living a quiet life, sitting on his back patio with his dog, bar-b-queing, listening to gospel music and the blues, and cherishing his family, which included Roy, Curtis, James, Tikesha, Robert, and Naomi whom he helped raise, and considered his own. Jim was preceded in death by his father James Funderburke, Sr. and son Jamell Funderburke. He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother Bettye Funderburke, one son James (JW) Funderburke III (Betty) of Aurora, Colorado; two daughters Jameka and Brianna Funderburke (Coretta), three granddaughters Jamiyah, Eden, and Avi'Yanna Funderburke, one sister Jocelyn "Dee" Worley (James), one brother Dennis Funderburke, Sr., his special friend Celestine Morrow, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Jim was a beautiful soul with a heart of gold, true faith, and a deep love and reverence for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved his children, mother, sister and brother dearly and would do anything for either one of them. He had a deep bond with his sister Dee, and called her first with any news or issues, good or bad. We loved him, but God loved him best and wanted him home. We Will Miss You Jim! Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors Chapel. Visitation 9:00 a.m. - 10. Interment Brooking Cemetery. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Facial masks and and social distancing are required. Livestreamed at: mstcsunset.com