James “Jim” Kuda was born on March 15, 1941, near Hawk Point, Missouri, to Lawrence John and Florence Darline Sonner-See Kuda. After graduating from the Lincoln County R-III School District in 1959, he spent three years serving in the U.S. Army Security Agency. 
  In 1962, Jim began his career with McDonnell Aircraft Company, where he worked until his retirement in 1996 as a Senior Production Scheduler. During his time there, he met the love of his life, Joyce Gwaltney. The two were married in 1966 and shared a wonderful life together. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Deborah Dawn and Cynthia Lynette. 
  Jim had a passion for genealogy and compiled extensive records on all four of his grandparents’ families. After retiring from McDonnell-Douglas, he dedicated the next 20 years to farming his family’s land. He took great pride in his garden and especially enjoyed trying to grow a bigger onion each year. 
  He and Joyce loved to travel, spending several winters in Florida and visiting destinations across the Southwest, Northwest, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and their favorite place, Hawaii, where they traveled numerous times. 
  One of Jim’s greatest joys was spending time with and fishing alongside his three grandsons. He also had a deep love for baseball. He started playing in 1955 when the Hawk Point Khoury League was formed and remained active in the organization throughout his life. He managed multiple teams and held various leadership positions over the years. 
  Jim was a dedicated member of the Hawk Point Lions Club since 1976, serving as president for four years and earning the honor of being named a Melvin Jones Fellow. He joined the Hawk Point Community Church in 1962 and had attended Sunday School there since childhood, serving in numerous roles over the years. Additionally, he was a proud member of the Troy American Legion Post 94 and a volunteer driver for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) until stepping away to care for Joyce as her health declined. 
  He also cherished his time at the Veterans Coffee Talk every Thursday, where he enjoyed camaraderie and sharing stories with fellow veterans. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. 
  He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Joyce, and his daughter, Deborah Copher. He also leaves behind three grandsons—James Copher, Joseph Yadamec, and Brian Yadamec—as well as his great-grandchildren, Codi, Elliot, Wesley, Ewan, Ruby, and Johnny. 
  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Florence Kuda; his sister, Mary Jane Kuda; his daughter, Cynthia Yadamec; his half-brother, Hurd Eugene See, and his wife, Marylin; his half-sister, Darline See-Howell Walls, and her husband, Reavis Howell; and his great-grandson, Cole Yadamec. 
Family and friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at  KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel located at 41 Farm Lane Hawk Point, MO 63349. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel in Hawk Point, MO. Interment will be held at Hawk Point City Cemetery in Hawk Point, MO.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Hawk Point Athletic Association or Lincoln County Veterans Coffee Talk, in care of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 222, Troy, MO 63379. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel; 41 Farm Lane Hawk Point, MO 63349. Online condolences may be made at www.kemperkeimfamilyfuneralchapel.com Phone 636-338-4375