Wonderful Lives Productions

George A. Roberts, CEO of Rocketdyne and friends to many Presidents and teacher of Neil Armstrong on how to land the Lunar Module on the moon. Thank you Mr. Roberts for sharing your story.

Keeping Frank Cary's Story Alive. Frank was the CEO of IBM and the inventor of the first PC.

The Jim Balderson Story Is a biography of Jim's life as told by Jim himself. Part 2 covers his family and professional life living in Kansas City as an Architect, Husband and Father, raising two daughters Joy and Jill and how Jim's career blossoms, along with his marriage to JoAnn for 60 years. This heartwarming story continues and shows Jim's Wonderful Life. Charles James Balderson June 29, 1927 - September 12, 2022 Lenexa, Kansas - Charles James (Jim) Balderson, 95, of Lenexa, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2022. He was born to Charles Lyle and Hazel West Balderson on June 29, 1927. Jim grew up in Manhattan, Kansas and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1945. During his senior year in high school he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country aboard the USS Casco. Upon his return, he attended Kansas State University, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1952. A fond KSU memory of Jim's was having lunch with Frank Lloyd Wright and some of his fellow architectural students. After working for an architectural firm in San Francisco and with a well known firm in KC, he and George Lund founded Lund/Balderson Architects and Planners. Their firm designed many buildings in the KC area. Two of Jim's favorite designs were the Prairie Village City Hall and the Lenexa Police building. He also designed a fire station and additional improvements to the KSU football stadium in Mahnattan. Jim proudly designed their contemporary family home in Overland Park, which was featured in the KC Star. Jim joined AMC Theaters as the Director of Design and Development where he designed the first multiplex cinema (1985) in the United Kingdom. This was followed by the addition of over 40 multiplex cinemas in the UK. Jim's many affiliations included the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Kansas Architectural Registration Board (KARB), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Jim served as President of the Overland Park Rotary Club and President of the Vanguard Club. He was also a member of the Prairie Village and Leawood City Planning Commissions. Jim served as the National President of the Kansas State University Alumni Association. Jim was very proud of his hometown and a devoted K-State fan. He was a very loyal football season ticket holder for many years. He loved the purple pride and his purple cowboy boots. EMAW! Recently, Jim was presented a Lifetime Achievement award at his residence by the Manhattan High School for their Wall of Fame. Jim met his wife, Jo Anne, of 60 years, on a blind date. Jim and Jo Anne Jacobs were married on December 18, 1954 at the Country Club Christian Church. They raised two daughters while sharing with them their KSU and KU rivalry. Jim was a member of Sixth Church Christ Scientists. He was lovingly devoted to his family and was proud of their accomplishments. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a great storyteller and had a very quick wit. No one was a stranger to Jim as he was a friend to all. He loved sharing his many tales and was always interested in hearing about other's adventures. His fun sense of humor and kindness will be missed by so many. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John David, wife Jo Anne, daughter Joy Anne Balderson, and grandson Brett James Lackey. Jim is survived by his daughter Jill Balderson Lackey, Lenexa; grandchildren: Eric Taft Alexander, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Amy Lackey Hranicka (Jonathan), Sussex, WI, Scott Douglas Lackey (Suzy) Pewaukee, WI , great grandchildren: Ethan James Hranicka, Hailey Lynn Brett Hranicka, Sussex, WI and Lena Raleigh Lackey, Waukesha, WI. A private memorial service will be held at a future date. Condolences and memories may be sent to Jim.balderson95@gmail.com The family suggests donations to the Joy Anne Balderson Memorial Scholarship Fund in Interior Architecture c/o the Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Avenue Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502, or to the Brett James Lackey Scholarship Fund c/o Lake Country Lutheran High School, 10427 W. Lincoln Avenue, West Allis, WI 53227.

The Jim Balderson Story Is a biography of Jim's life as told by Jim himself. Part 1 covers Jim's family history, his life growing up in Manhattan, Kansas, Jim's Military service during WWII, and meeting & falling in love with his beloved wife JoAnne and their beautiful wedding. This heartwarming story begins and shows Jim's Wonderful Life. Last evening [September 12, 2022], the funniest man I will ever know passed on into our Father‘s loving arms. My dad was a very kind soul with a wonderful sense of humor and was interested in most everyone who crossed his path. He was an accomplished architect, a world traveler, a WWII Navy veteran, a civic volunteer, an avid K-State fan who loved the color purple and a very proud Manhattan hometown boy. He was a loving son, a brother, a cousin, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a friend to us all. He’s been my best friend these past several years and I am forever grateful for our time together. I love you dad!❤️ EMAW💜 - Jill Balderson Lackey

Wonderful Lives _ Floro Santos - Short Tribute Video

Floro "El Gallo" Santos Long Tribute Video

Everybody has a story to tell and this is Leo's. Leo was a Navigator on a B-17 flying out of Italy during WWII. Leo grew up in Southern California during the Great Depression.