Kansas City Funeral Directors

Willard "Rex" Rexroat

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Willard Rexroat 

Willard “Rex” Rexroat died peacefully in Kansas City on October 30th 2018 at the age of 96, from complications following his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Rex is survived by his son, Mark Rexroat (wife Marcia); daughter, Joy Rexroat, DVM; and grandchildren, Samuel Rexroat (Denver CO), Grace Rexroat (Houston TX) and Brittany Paddock. Rex was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Joan B.-Rexroat, and son, Jack Rexroat. (All Kansas City, unless otherwise noted.)

Rex was born in Olney, Illinois, to Britton & Velma Rexroat, on their family farm. He went to live with his Aunt Lelah and Uncle Royale Montgomery, in Topeka Kansas as a teenager. While living there, Rex graduated from Topeka high school and Washburn University, where he earned his BS in Accounting & Economics.

Rex enlisted in the Navy as a young adult and was ultimately commissioned as Lieutenant Commander Willard E. Rexroat. He served in active duty in both World War II and the Korean War. Following his second separation from active military duty for a combined total of 11 years, he served another 25 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve. His military service included duty on the USS Woodson (DE-359) with tours to the Galápagos Islands, Bora Bora, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

After his years in the Navy, Rex had a long career in accounting and mortgage banking at such firms as Brelsford, Gifford and Hardesty CPA, Farmland Industries, The Fleming Company, retiring from Commerce Bank of Kansas City.

On a personal note, Rex was an avid outdoorsman. He took his family (and sometimes neighbors) on extended camping trips and summer vacations ranging from Missouri to Colorado, New Mexico and California. Family activities on camping trips included hiking, fishing, boating, and horseback riding. Our outdoor activities expanded into the Boy Scouts of America where Rex became a troop leader and supported Jack and Mark in their scouting experience. Rex was also an entrepreneur. Besides his day-job in mortgage banking, he was a private tax preparer for small businesses and an independent real estate developer of vacation homes in Lake of the Ozarks.

A small, private graveside service was held by his immediate family on November 5th at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, at West 83rd St & Quivira Rd, Lenexa, KS. Rex received Military Funeral Honors from US Navy servicemen who played taps and presented a commemorative U.S. flag to his family. Rex was interred alongside his wife, Joan.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: * Navy Marine Corps Relief Society; http://www.nmcrs.org/, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203, tel: 800-654-8364 * Alzheimer’s Association; https://alz.org/; 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601; tel: 800-272-3900

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff of Garden Terrace of Overland Park (Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Center) for their dedication and care of Rex in his final days.

Thank you to all our friends and extended family for your prayers and support during this time. Warm regards, Mark, Joy, and Marcia.

Jesse Valdez

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JESSE VALDEZ

Jesse Valdez passed away on October 24, 2018, in Olathe, Kansas at the age of 80. 

Jesse is survived by his sons Ed (Angie), Jesse II, brother Eladio Jr. (Toni), and grandchildren Carynn, Krista, Jesse III, and Max as well as many nephews and nieces all of Kansas City. He was preceded in death by his wife Cecilia; sisters Lucy Valdez and Angie Oropeza and brothers David and Joe also of Kansas City. 

Jesse was born in the Argentine area of Kansas City, Kansas, to Luz and Eladio Valdez. He graduated from Argentine High School and later graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College earning an Associate’s of Arts degree in Business. In 1954, Jesse began working in the grocery store business for Milgram’s and was promoted to Store Manager in 1970. He finally retired after a fulfilling 46 year career of management in grocery business. 

He married the love of his life, Cecilia Zuniga, and together they raised their family in Kansas City, Kansas before moving to Merriam, Kansas. 
Jesse served with the Missouri Army National Guard from 1960 to 1966. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus from 2000 till his death and earned his 4th Degree in 2001 and later was a Faithful Navigator. He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas since 1975, a member of the Mission Optimist Club and a member of the Mission Chamber of Commerce from 1970 to 1975. 

Jesse gained so much joy from attending his sons and grandson’s sporting events and enjoyed watching his granddaughters participate in dance and cheer. He stayed busy taking pictures of every event he attended and always cheered on the Royals, Chiefs, and Kings.  For the past nine winters, you could find him on the beach in Mexico where he enjoyed the cool ocean breeze, the hot sun, and making memories with the people he loved. He cherished family time where the Mexican food was always hot, the drinks were always cold, and the Mexican music never stopped. 

Jesse never met a stranger, was dependable, and a hard worker. He was proud to be Mexican. He was proud to be American. 

Celebration of Life, November 1st, 2018 at Merriam Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS 66203. Visitation 5:00-7:30 pm with Rosary at 7:30. There will be a memorial mass, Friday, November 2nd starting at 10:00 am with visitation at 9, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66216.

James Leonard Clark

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James Leonard Clark

James Leonard Clark, 72, of Independence, MO passed away on October 17, 2018. Services are being planned and we will let you know as soon as everything is confirmed.

James had a great sense of humor and loved spending time with his family. He was an amazing Father & Grandfather; and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. James could be ornery and stubborn at times, and feisty when necessary. He loved going and playing pool or games on his tablet. James was an avid CB operator and went by the handle “JC”. 

James was preceded in death by his wife, Constance Sue Clark and son, Michael Shane Weiner. He is survived by his children, Cheryl Clark-Mcfadden, Jamie Clark and his wife Karla Smith, Joseph Clark, and Jacqueline Clark; 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and many more family and friends.

Tasha Lynn Powell

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Tasha Lynn Powell

On Saturday October 13, 2018 Tasha Lynn Powell 51, of Carthage, Mo passed away at KU Medical Center, surrounded by family.

Tasha was born April 18 1967 in Tulsa, Ok. She lived in Pittsburg, Ks where she attended Pittsburg high and settled down to be a homemaker. She is proceeded in death by her father Thomas Powell and brother Claude Rick Frame.

She is survived by her parents Bill and Linda Wilkinson of Scammon, Ks. Her daughters Lynsey Rhuems of Carthage, Mo and Laney Powell of Weir, Ks. Her granddaughters Landry and Madison Rhuems of Carthage, Mo and Jocelyn Rickman of Weir, Ks. Her siblings Larry and Cheryl Matkin of Andover, Ks and Chad Powell of Pittsburg, Ks. And many nieces and nephews.

Tasha was loved by many and will always carry a special place in our hearts. She was very outgoing and she never knew a stranger and she always had a way of making you laugh.

There will be a private family memorial celebrating her life.

Jerry Lee "Doc" Fultz

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Jerry Lee “Doc” Fultz

Jerry Lee “Doc” Fultz, 74, of Gardner, Kansas passed away on October 12, 2018 at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. Memorial service Friday, at 2 PM on October 19, 2018 at Grace Baptist Church, 650 E. Madison, Gardner, KS 66030.

Doc was born on March 24, 1944 at Paola Hospital in Paola, Kansas to Guy & Amy Fultz. He grew up in Osawatomie, KS and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1962. Doc served in the United States Navy for 4 years and was stationed in Guam during the Vietnam War. Doc married his first wife, Barbara Bernhardt in 1977. She preceded him in death. He later married Gail Rutledge in 1999. For many years Doc worked in HVAC and refrigeration for the Wendy’s International Corporation.