Jim Gilbreth

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

James “Jim” M. Gilbreth, servant of God and country, passed from this life on November 8, 2021 at age 87 surrounded by loved ones after a long illness.

“Jimmy,” as he was known to his parents and seven siblings, was born on September 5, 1934 in Joplin, MO to Roy and Genevieve (Kelly) Gilbreth. 

He was attending St. Peter’s School in Joplin when he first was called to serve God and began studying for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Kansas City, MO.

While at the seminary, Jim received a calling of a civic nature and left to join the U.S. Army. Jim was accepted into the Special Forces—the Green Berets—where he trained as a paratrooper and radio operator. Upon discharge, Jim attended Rockhurst College and received a bachelor’s degree in Human Relations and minored in Philosophy. He would later receive a master’s degree in Theology from the University of Utah.

Jim answered another call to duty by John F. Kennedy to join a new program in 1961 called the Peace Corps. Jim was among the first deployed, serving as a volunteer in The Philippines for two years where he taught English to school children.

Jim then worked as the first field representative for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights in Jefferson City, MO, where he investigated claims of racial discrimination and reported violations of civil rights. Jim’s work was instrumental in remedying victims of discrimination in employment and in housing for Missourians in the 1960s and 1970s.

Jim occasionally worked weekends as bookkeeper for the Maddox Nursing Home in Joplin, where he was introduced to Mrs. Maddox’s lovely granddaughter, Patricia “Patty” Hennessy. After a Valentine and many letters traded amid a long-distance romance, they married on April 16, 1966, and moved to Kansas City. They later moved to a small farm just outside the Kansas City metro in Pleasant Hill, MO, where they raised their family.

While in Kansas City, Jim worked for many years as an agent for the War on Poverty program under the Office of Economic Opportunity. A subsequent transfer to the Social Security Administration afforded Jim and Patty the opportunity to finally move back to Joplin, where Jim completed his civic duty and retired.

Not to be retired for long, Jim found a new passion as “Mr. G.,” teaching high school religion at McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin. He also found great joy as a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, where he and Patty enjoyed many years singing in the choir. As both a musician and thespian, Jim also participated in community theater, playing many roles in productions for the Way Off Broadway Players and Joplin Little Theater, and even starred in local commercials.

Jim’s final chapter of life was devoted to his love of winemaking. He started a beer and winemaking shoppe called BarleyWine and planted 10 acres of Missouri grapes in Webb City, MO in a vineyard he named Bahala Na—which in the Philippine language, Tagalog, means, “God’s Will Be Done.”

Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia, and their four children, Patrick Gilbreth, Peter Gilbreth, Sara Gilbreth Scott and husband, Jeff Scott, John Gilbreth and wife, Amanda Rainey. He leaves a legacy with his 10 beloved grandchildren, Philip, Marisa, Emily, Zachary, Luke, Benjamin, Callie, Alexander, Rosemary, and Micah, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents
and his seven brothers and sisters, Martha Newby, Frances Burr, Ruth Johnson, Patricia Roche, William Gilbreth, Robert Gilbreth, and David Gilbreth, and special family friend, Fr. William Krudwig.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Straus officiating. The rosary will be said on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary with visitation to follow.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.