James Carroll Reneau

A much loved husband and father has passed from the earth. James Carroll Reneau, born December 19, 1922 to Alice Elizabeth Frederici Reneau and Floyd Irwin Reneau in North Platte, Nebraska, passed peacefully away at home, surrounded by family, Sunday April 2, 2017 in Independence, Mo. He was 94. Jim was a long time educator in Kansas City schools, teaching history at Northeast high school and Van Horn high school in the early 1950s before serving as a Counselor at Westport then assuming vice principal positions at Nowlin junior high and Southwest High School. He later served as Principal of Northeast high school, Paseo and Nowlin before retiring in 1984. Voted Boss of the Year for 1980-81 by The Association of Business Women, he also served many years as a scout master for troop 173. After retirement, besides traveling to Europe several times and exploring this country more, Jim researched family genealogy, publishing some of his research in genealogical journals. He was also a member of The Huguenot Society of America. An Elder in the Outreach Restoration church in Independence, he earned an undergraduate degree in history from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He worked on his Ph.D. in Education at The University of Kansas and The University of Missouri. He also served in General George Patton's 3rd Army, 6th Division during WWII, witnessing the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp. Preceded in death by his parents, his 4 siblings, son James Paul Reneau and a grandson, Joseph Reneau Combs, he is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan Reneau of the home, daughters Laura Schulman (Geoffrey), Austin, Texas and Elizabeth Combs (Ted), Independence, MO, grandchildren Jeremy Jennings, Amanda Kroesen (Sam), and Zach Combs and five great grandchildren, Carmen Jennings, Alex Jennings, Eli Kroesen, Ike Combs and Isabelle Combs. We have lost another member of The Greatest Generation. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday April 8, 2017, Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m., until service time Saturday at the chapel In lieu of flowers please consider giving to Homes for our Troops. www.hfotusa.org Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)