Tim Bourne

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

James Timothy “Tim” Bourne, of Joplin, Missouri, died December 23, 2024. He was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on December 11, 1961, to Joseph and Dorothy Bourne. A beloved husband, father, and “Papa”, Tim passed peacefully in his home surrounded by the love of his wife and daughters after a courageous 25-year battle with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Kidney Disease and its complications. He was 63 years old.

Throughout his illness, Tim displayed unparalleled strength and unwavering resilience. His devotion to his family was boundless. His love for Amy exemplifies a partnership rooted in radical acceptance and profound connection—a rare and inspiring bond to witness.

While he would not have wished his illness on his worst enemy (of which he had none), he fought for every moment of his life with laser sharp ferocity. This brought the most important elements into clarity and focus: taking his grandchildren to the gym, cheering at basketball games, and celebrating family milestones. For Tim, the “important” things in life were not material but found in shared experiences and unconditional love. His indulgences were simple: family time, KU basketball, and Kansas City Chiefs football. He prioritized any event involving a family member where he could proudly coach, cheer on, or provide support. His loves weren’t material or complicated, he delighted in music, anything chocolate, a greasy burger and (sometimes) an entire pan of Rice Krispies treats. A culinary skill he proudly mastered in his final years.

Tim’s kindness and generosity extended far beyond his family. Even amid pain and discomfort, he treated healthcare workers and those caring for him with respect, gratitude, ornery humor, and had little to no complaints. His participation in experimental clinical trials reflected his selflessness and hope for a future cure for FSGS.

A man of brilliance and determination, Tim’s passion for transport inspired him to co- found Bourne Logistics Management and Bourne Trucking alongside Amy. His encyclopedic knowledge of the transportation and logistics industry made him a legend in the office. If any family member were to take on the open road, he could course a map of highways in his mind and dispatch immediately, our very own walking Rand McNally. Tim was a true southern gentleman—fiercely protective, loyal, generous, faithful, wise, open, willing, steadfast, tender, tough, a listener, curious, proud, and bound with an integrity that guided his every action.

For 25 years, Tim and his family lived with a heightened awareness of life’s fragility. This profound perspective turned every holiday, birthday, and gathering into a cherished gift. A practicing Catholic, Tim lived his beliefs into being through his quiet generosity, service to others, and steadfast faith. When one dies, people frequently reflect on heaven after death, but seldom honor the daily practice of heaven in the continuous acts of love in the here and now. Tim’s actions created a heaven that remains in circulation with us and we are deeply grateful.

Tim is survived by his beloved wife, Amy; his three daughters - Lindsey Bourne-Green (and husband, Barry Green of Joplin, Missouri), Mary Beth Sachs-Bourne (and wife, Rachel Sachs-Bourne of Overland Park, Kansas), and Meg Bourne (and husband, Vinee McCracken of Fayetteville, Arkansas). He is the proud Papa to five grandchildren - Rider, Charlotte, Abram, Luca, and Harvey. He is survived by two sisters: Karen Hammell (of Mesa, Arizona) and Libby LeMaster (and husband, Rick LeMaster of Wellington, Kansas). Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Bourne (Pittsburg, Kansas), and brother in-law Nyle Hammell (Mesa, Arizona).

A rosary and visitation will be held on Monday December 30th at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church at 812 Pearl Ave, Joplin, MO 64801 from 6:00-7:30 pm. A mass to honor Tim’s life will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Tuesday December 31st at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Joplin Area Catholic Schools (JACS) Booster Club at 931 S. Byers Ave., Joplin MO 64801 or the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org.

James Timothy “Tim” Bourne, of Joplin, Missouri, died December 23, 2024. He was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on December 11, 1961, to Joseph and Dorothy Bourne. A beloved husband, father, and “Papa”, Tim passed peacefully in his home surrounded by the love of his wife and daughters after a courageous 25-year battle with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Kidney Disease and its complications. He was 63 years old.

Throughout his illness, Tim displayed unparalleled strength and unwavering resilience. His devotion to his family was boundless. His love for Amy exemplifies a partnership rooted in radical acceptance and profound connection—a rare and inspiring bond to witness.

While he would not have wished his illness on his worst enemy (of which he had none), he fought for every moment of his life with laser sharp ferocity. This brought the most important elements into clarity and focus: taking his grandchildren to the gym, cheering at basketball games, and celebrating family milestones. For Tim, the “important” things in life were not material but found in shared experiences and unconditional love. His indulgences were simple: family time, KU basketball, and Kansas City Chiefs football. He prioritized any event involving a family member where he could proudly coach, cheer on, or provide support. His loves weren’t material or complicated, he delighted in music, anything chocolate, a greasy burger and (sometimes) an entire pan of Rice Krispies treats. A culinary skill he proudly mastered in his final years.

Tim’s kindness and generosity extended far beyond his family. Even amid pain and discomfort, he treated healthcare workers and those caring for him with respect, gratitude, ornery humor, and had little to no complaints. His participation in experimental clinical trials reflected his selflessness and hope for a future cure for FSGS.
A man of brilliance and determination, Tim’s passion for transport inspired him to co- found Bourne Logistics Management and Bourne Trucking alongside Amy. His encyclopedic knowledge of the transportation and logistics industry made him a legend in the office. If any family member were to take on the open road, he could course a map of highways in his mind and dispatch immediately, our very own walking Rand McNally. Tim was a true southern gentleman—fiercely protective, loyal, generous, faithful, wise, open, willing, steadfast, tender, tough, a listener, curious, proud, and bound with an integrity that guided his every action.

For 25 years, Tim and his family lived with a heightened awareness of life’s fragility. This profound perspective turned every holiday, birthday, and gathering into a cherished gift. A practicing Catholic, Tim lived his beliefs into being through his quiet generosity, service to others, and steadfast faith. When one dies, people frequently reflect on heaven after death, but seldom honor the daily practice of heaven in the continuous acts of love in the here and now. Tim’s actions created a heaven that remains in circulation with us and we are deeply grateful.

Tim is survived by his beloved wife, Amy; his three daughters - Lindsey Bourne-Green (and husband, Barry Green of Joplin, Missouri), Mary Beth Sachs-Bourne (and wife, Rachel Sachs-Bourne of Overland Park, Kansas), and Meg Bourne (and husband, Vinee McCracken of Fayetteville, Arkansas). He is the proud Papa to five grandchildren - Rider, Charlotte, Abram, Luca, and Harvey. He is survived by two sisters: Karen Hammell (of Mesa, Arizona) and Libby LeMaster (and husband, Rick LeMaster of Wellington, Kansas). Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Bourne (Pittsburg, Kansas), and brother in-law Nyle Hammell (Mesa, Arizona).

A rosary and visitation will be held on Monday December 30th at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church at 812 Pearl Ave, Joplin, MO 64801 from 6:00-7:30 pm. A mass to honor Tim’s life will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Tuesday December 31st at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Joplin Area Catholic Schools (JACS) Booster Club at 931 S. Byers Ave., Joplin MO 64801 or the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org.