James B. Nutter Sr. facts for kids

James B. Nutter Sr. was a successful businessman and helper in his community.

James B. Nutter, Sr. (born January 23, 1928 – died July 7, 2017) was a very important businessman from Kansas City, Missouri. He started his own company, James B. Nutter & Company, which helped people get loans to buy homes. His company became one of the biggest family-owned mortgage lenders in the United States. They helped people buy homes in all 50 states!

James B. Nutter was known for being fair and helping everyone. His company was one of the first to give home loans to Black families and single women. Back then, many companies would not do this. He also worked hard to make Kansas City a better place. The city even named a street "James B. Nutter Way" to honor him. In 2012, he was named "Kansas Citian of the Year" for all his great work.

Early Life and First Jobs

James Nutter's family lost their home in 1940 during a tough time called the Great Depression. They had to move into a rented house. This experience taught him a lot about money and hard work.

When he was just 12 years old, James delivered flyers for politicians. By age 13, he worked 30 hours a week at a library, earning $30 a month. He was very good with money and saved $50 from his first two paychecks. After serving in the U.S. Army, he went to the University of Missouri and earned a business degree in 1949.

Building a Business: James B. Nutter & Co.

In 1951, James B. Nutter started his own company, James B. Nutter & Co., right from his home. He was one of the first people in Kansas City to offer special home loans for military veterans. These loans, called Veterans Administration home loans, became a big part of his business.

Nutter's company was a leader in fair lending. In the 1950s and 1960s, they were among the first to give home loans to Black neighborhoods and to single women. This was a big deal because many other companies would not do this.

In 1964, when many people were struggling to pay for their homes, his company created a program to help them. This program allowed people to get back on track with their payments. Later, in 1995, President Bill Clinton asked Nutter to join the board of a major housing organization called the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

During a financial crisis in 2006 and 2007, James Nutter and his son, Jim Jr., were praised. They had refused to offer risky loans that caused problems for many other companies. His company also helped start the first government-insured reverse mortgage loans in 1989. These loans allow older homeowners to use the value of their home for income.

Helping the Community and Preserving History

James B. Nutter was a very generous person. He gave money to many non-profit groups, including:

• Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for families in need.
• Mayo Clinic and Kansas City's Children's Mercy Hospital, which help people get medical care.
• The Kansas City Central Library and the Harry S. Truman Library Institute.
• The Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a boy.
• Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, Little Sisters of the Poor, and Wayside Waifs (an animal rescue).

Several places were named after him and his family because of his generosity. These include a learning center at the University of Missouri and a classroom at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. There is also the Nutter Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center and Park in Kansas City.

Nutter also loved old buildings. He bought many older homes in Kansas City's historic Westport neighborhood. He then fixed them up and painted them in bright colors, turning them into unique office spaces. This area became known as "Nutterville." He even renovated a very old house from 1847, which earned him an award for historic preservation in 2004.

James Nutter also cared deeply about fairness and equality. In 1964, he helped pass a city law that made it illegal for shops and restaurants to refuse service to Black customers. His neighborhood was one of only two mostly white areas to vote for this important law. In 2012, he received a special award from the NAACP for his work in civil rights.

He also had a lifelong interest in politics and knew President Harry S. Truman. Nutter was a strong supporter of Democratic candidates, including Emanuel Cleaver II, who became Kansas City's first African American mayor in 1991.

Personal Life

James B. Nutter and his wife, Annabel, had two children: Nancy Nutter (who passed away) and James B. Nutter Jr. James B. Nutter Sr. passed away on July 7, 2017, in Kansas City.