Jimmy to his many friends, Dad to his sons, Papa to his grandchildren, and if he was in trouble it was just Jim, passed away peacefully at the age of 72. (August 2, 1947 – January 8, 2020)
Jimmy was born in and remained a life-long resident of the Kansas City area but his second loved area of residence was the City by the Bay, San Francisco, California, where he was semi-retired and maintained a second home.
Jimmy went to Pembroke Country Day (‘65), and received his undergraduate (‘69) and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas (‘72). After a brief stint in Washington, D.C., working for the FCC, he moved back to KC where he worked at Margolin and Kirwan Law Firm until the early ’90s when he opened Margolin Law Firm working mostly employment and discrimination law. The last several years he focused most of his attention to mediation and arbitration where he worked for the FMCS and CSMCS in California.
Jimmy loved his Royals and the Kansas Jayhawks, and he was learning to love the Chiefs because his wife Susan does. He loved to play golf, tennis and sitting by the bay. He was always singing to Susan “Now I am having the time of my life.”
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Abraham and Florence Margolin, sister Judith Margolin Goodman, niece Kathy Margolin Richter and nephew Chuck Margolin. He is survived by his wife Susan Layne Margolin of Mission Hills, sons Dan Margolin (Julie) of Prairie Village and Andrew Margolin (Jeff) of Evergreen, Clorado, and his brother Robert Margolin (Dorothy) of Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Jimmy has three grandchildren, Abby, Izzy and Piper, whom he dearly loved and cherished.
The family would like to personally thank the great nurses, doctors and staff at Saint Luke’s Hospital and Saint Luke’s Hospice House. They are all amazing and took great care to make sure that not only was Jimmy comfortable and taken care of, but also the many visiting friends and family.
Funeral services will be a private affair per Jimmy’s request. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Saint Luke’s Hospice House in Jimmy’s honor.
Jimmy’s granddaughter Abby wanted to include the following words:
“He wasn’t just my grandfather. Papa was my best friend. We had many inside jokes together, late nights eating cereal at 11 o’clock, road trips, adventures in San Francisco, and so much more. I have always been able to count on him for a great and memorable time together. I admire the many strong and wise pieces of advice he has given me, and I hope that one day I can be able to do that for my grandchildren. I have looked up to him every day, and I will continue to look up to him while he is watching over me. I didn’t expect him to go so soon, and it has been a long year of him being sick. Throughout that year we were able to make the best of it. During days that he didn’t feel well, we would sit on the chairs in the TV room eating peanut M&M’S while having long talks. Papa, I love you. I will always love you for ever and ever.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arrangements entrusted to The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.