How do you write an obituary for a great writer? James Carey Fitzpatrick, 76, died on February 9, 2023 while on vacation in Fort Myers, Florida. As a Pulitzer prize award-winning reporter and editor for The Kansas City Times and Star for 37 years, Jim, or “Fitz” to his colleagues, was a true believer in the power of a story.
Jim was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His quick wit, curious nature, and love for writing was sparked by his parents, Robert J. Fitzpatrick, an accountant and professor, and Mary Louise Carey Fitzpatrick, a literature professor. Jim moved to Kansas City in 1969 to work for the Kansas City Times on the city desk. Starting as an obituary writer, he made his mark early on by convincing the night city editor to allow him to cover a rock concert and interview Janice Joplin. Jim captured the essence of the musical legend at Memorial Hall in 1970, and that story helped launch his career. Jim went on to cover Jackson County government for 14 years and KCMO government for 10 years as a beat reporter. With a promotion to editor, he managed news bureaus in KCK, Independence, and Johnson County before retiring in 2006.
After Jim’s retirement, he had a brief stint as a substitute teacher, but decided he wanted a more “relaxed” retirement (a.k.a. playing golf, walking the dog, reading the paper, and taking naps). He began volunteering with local organizations including The Whole Person, Funeral Consumers Alliance, Lead to Read, and Country Club Christian Church. At the time of his death, Jim was City of Fountains Foundation board president. As a true Louisvillian, Jim loved horse racing, especially the Kentucky Derby. In his younger days, he hosted “Jim’s Derby Day Party,” attracting quite a crowd, including a U.S. senator and vice-presidential candidate. He especially enjoyed donning Derby attire (and of course a dapper hat) and heading to Louisville for Derby Day with Patty and the kids. Jim also continued his writing career with a blog, JimmyCSays.com, where since 2010 he candidly shared his opinion on everything from politics and murder trials to the plight of newspapers today, travels with family and friends, music, sports, and whatever captured his attention. He could often be heard tapping away at his keyboard late into the night–just like he was on deadline for the paper again.
Jim was usually in reporter mode, trying to find out as much as he could about people, places, history, and the arts. He could talk to anyone and within a few minutes knew all about their job, family, and probably someone they knew in common. From a brief interaction to lifelong friends, Jim left an impression. Never one to hold back, he was an entertainer, life of the party and always ready to crack a joke or deliver a witty line. Once while visiting Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, Jim and the family were riding the elevator down into the coal mine exhibition. The dark elevator was packed with people, and after a minute of silence, Jim began quietly singing, “Workin’ in a coal mine, goin’ down, down, down” by Lee Dorsey, getting louder and louder, and people started to chuckle. It certainly broke the silence in the elevator. Of course, his kids turned beet red and tried to silence the “madman.” As they got older, they found his antics funny and charming–most of the time.
Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patty, and his daughter Brooks, and son Charlie. In his last days, he was playing golf with some of his closest friends, sharing ice cream with Patty, and enjoying his vacation in Florida. The shock of losing him will never be eased, but Jim was embracing life. His big laugh, twinkling eyes, goofy grin, loving spirit, generosity, and tender heart will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and carried on in our memories, and all of his stories, his gifts to us all.
A visitation will be at 3pm with a 4pm memorial service on Thursday, April 13 at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway. A reception follows at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to City of Fountains Foundation, PO Box 8912, KCMO 64114 or The Whole Person, 3710 Main St. KCMO 64111.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
A first rate reporter and guy
Deep and wide condolences to Patty, Brooks, and Charlie, and to all of us who in various ways were blessed by the unique and amazing James Carey Fitzpatrick.
I will truly miss his blog.
God speed Jim Fitz.
Beautifully written. I will always remember his excellent tour guide roll when visiting the Acropolis in Athens. He was a unique and wonderful guy. He’ll be deeply missed.
Wish they had postcards in heaven as I bet he’s already found something interesting for comment. Gone too soon, sorely missed ! Thanks for the update. Condolences to Patty, Charlie & Brooks.
Fitz was one of the last of a very special breed of public servant: a journalist to whom facts and a burning desire to share those diggings with the community compelled him to research, quote and write the truth.
SAILING AWAY:
From the peaceful port I watch a ship
As it sets out to sea;
It spreads its sails and sniffs the breeze
And slips away from me.
I watch the fading image shrink,
As it moves on and on,
Until at last it’s but a speck,
Then someone says, “It’s gone.”
Gone where? Gone only from our sight
And from our farewell cries;
A journey somewhere to reappear
To others’ eager eyes.
Beyond the dim horizon’s rim
Resound the welcome horns and drums,
And while we’re crying, “There Fitz goes!”
They’re shouting, “Here Fitz comes!”
We’re sure to cruise for but a while
Upon life’s trackless sea
Until one day, we sail away
To serene infinity.
What a beautiful tribute to such a unique KC gift! We have enjoyed Jim’s stories, humor and good will for many years, starting with his involvement in St Andrew’s Christian Church. We will never forget traveling with Patty and Jim and especially enjoying his guiding us throughout the Acropolis. What a delightful man! We will all miss him.
Sorry I can’t attend Fitz’s visitation because of health reasons. Working with Fitz was as much fun as attending his Derby parties. He’ll always in my thoughts.
Such a loss for me, and we, his continued readers! And for Jim and all those close to him, especially Patty, Brook and Charlie. May we all heal from this loss with the eventual emergence of sweet memories predominating over our current and lingering grief and sadness. RIP.
Jim was a wonderful reporter. One of the ones who helped make The Star, and The Times, a must read.
Jim’s blog was most always informative and interesting. He managed to fill some of the gap left open by the deteriorating Star. That will be missed.
Condolences to the family.
Jim’s tribute is so beautifully written. I so wish I had known him longer. I’ll miss him. So sorry, Patty.
I met Jim in 2014 when he called me out of the blue. I had formed a small but might group of St. Louis volunteers to oppose Amendment 7, a sales tax to fund highways. Jim and I hit it off instantly and headed our Western Missouri operation. He was good and put some money (maybe Patty’s money) to help fund the cause. We won. Thereafter, Jim and I stayed in touch. I now live in LA and made a point of having breakfast at Mildred’s whenever I visited family in and around KC. Great person. When I visit KC this coming fall, there will be a hole in my schedule.
🙏🏽✝️💟💗❤️💚🌹🇺🇸🌎
Fitz you are the best! From the Newsroom to Louisville!
Fitz, you are the best! From Louisville to the the Newsroom!
Sort about the reposition.
Fitz, you are the best! From Louisville to the Newsroom!
The tribute to Jim captures the man and the man was a major part of the humanity that holds Kansas City together. I so looked forward to his JimmyCSays blog and the insightful writing he always produced. Jim was an old school pro and will be missed by many. My condolences to his family.
Tom Coleman
I first met Jimmy C in 1960 as a high school freshman in Louisville, Kentucky. Even then, I knew he was something different…something special. He was a truly amazing gentleman.
Heartfelt condolences to Patty, Brooks, Charlie, and all of us who knew Jim. He was a joy to work with and a joy to have as a friend. He enriched our lives. I’ll never forget him.
I knew Fitz from my county government days. He always entertained and I always enjoyed the conversations with George Lehr, Joe Bolger and Fitz. He was spot on with his writings-maybe he will be talking to them now!
After reading the beautiful tribute and sentiments that others have written, it no longer is any mystery that I remember him so well even we only met a few times at the Musica Sacra parties. His conversation was always so enlightening and he made all of us always feel so welcome and that he was genuinely interested in what we had to say. Patty, peace and prayers for comfort to you and your children❤️
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fitzpatrick and I’ve only left one other comment on this blog, but for years I’ve enjoyed reading his work. As a transplant to Kansas City, I learned from his writing a lot about the community, journalism, and life in general. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
I am so shocked and sad to learn of Jim’s passing. I will miss our sharings of the oldies but goodies he would sometimes blog about. Prayers for peace and comfort for his family.
I’m sorry I didn’t check the blog until today, or I would have posted something sooner. I miss the old Star and Times, even when I disagreed with them, because they put out good journalism, the kind typified by Jim. We have lost so damned much in this new age that denigrates quality writing and integrity in our community newspaper. The passing of Jim is like a metaphor for the death of community journalism. Long may we remember that tradition and Jim.
I started following Jim’s blog several years ago when he reached out to us regarding a story he was writing about a horrific accident on I-70, that cost one family everything. My son had been part of the accident. Jim went on to write a very touching story about the family involved. I have read and enjoyed his stories ever since. My condolences to his family. I will miss his insights.