Kansas City Funeral Directors

Delores "Dee" Cox

It is with great sadness that on April 19, 2020. Delores (Dee) A. [(Godfrey) Bratton] Cox lost her courageous battle to pancreatic cancer, at the young age of 68, in her home surrounded by her family and friends.

Dee was born to Bob and Delores Godfrey on Valentine’s Day of 1952. She was a Kansas City, Kansas resident, Original Dotte. In 1972 she graduated from Wyandotte High School and later received her Associates Degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa. She also served in the Sunflower Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. After 40 years of work, she retired from the railroad working for several different companies including The Rock Island, The Cotton Belt and The Union Pacific.

Dee loved all holidays, especially Christmas. Her home was decorated like a Christmas Wonderland. She would spend countless hours in the kitchen making fudge and baking cookies, candies and breads for her family and friends. The memories of her home smelling of fudge and cinnamon! She had a way of making every Christmas memorable.

She had a heart of gold and would give to anyone in need. She met no strangers. Dee and her late husband Daniel opened their home to many foster children who became members of the family in their eyes. She loved to sit and talk with anyone. Her favorite day of the week was Sunday, which was made even more special by the family and friends that came to dinner each week. She had her way of making each person feel as if they were her favorite. She always told the truth, even if it was not what you wanted to hear.

She was lucky to have experienced unconditional love twice in her life. She married her first love and the father of her children, Daniel Bratton in April of 1971. They were married for 28 years when he passed in 1999. She met her second love and bonus father to her children through her work at the railroad. Dee and Gary Cox were married in March of 2002. They both were able to find love after the death of their spouses and enjoyed a cut short life together. Dee is preceded in death by her father Robert, her mother Delores, her late husband Daniel, her sister Patty Kay, her nephew Darren and her beloved daughters Debbie and Catherine. She is survived by her husband of the home, Gary Cox, and their children Daniel (LuAnn) Godfrey, Debra (BJ) Caldwell, Steven Cox, Patty Clayborn, and Danielle (Joe) Fuentez; her 12 grandchildren; Amanda, Colin, Eric, Haley, Jacob, Jeff, Jessica, Kaitlynn, Kenneth, Matthew, Megan, Natalie, Payton, Sarah and Shane. Eight siblings, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends that became family.

Due to the unfortunate events with COVID-19, the family will host a celebration of life ceremony at a later date. Dee will be laid to rest in Dyer, Arkansas at the Dyer Cemetery at that time. The family would like to thank Good Shepherd Hospice for the loving care they provided. We would also like to thank all of the friends and family who spent countless hours making her last months on Earth so memorable. As she would say “Merry, Happy, Thanky!”

Death should not do us part
Only between mind-
And soul-
But there is no end.
A life lives even after Death
Not as a solid form-
In the Air and Ground-
In the mind-
One’s life lives on.
-By Payton Fergus

William Edgar D'Souza

 

It is with great sadness that the family of William Edgar D’Souza announces his passing after a brief illness on 15 April 2020 in Kansas, USA at the age of 87.

Affectionately known as Willie he was originally from Byculla, moving to Bandra and immigrated to Kansas, USA in 1999.

Henrietta Mary Ferguson

Henrietta Mary Ferguson passed away on May 3, 2020. Born February 28, 1944 in Beatrice, Nebraska, Mary was a loving mother who adored dogs and time spent outdoors, including walks at Loose Park and working in the yard. She also was a dedicated sports fan, always rooting hard for her Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks. Mary held various jobs throughout her life, but most enjoyed her time as a server at various local restaurants, and the interaction and banter with her regular customers. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Lee, and her son Joe. She is survived by her daughters, JoAnn Hawthorne and Becky Reid, her son Dan Ferguson, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as her sister, Sandy, and her brother, Robert. A private celebration of life for immediate family will be held at a later date.

Russell Howard Vaca

Russell Howard Vaca of Kansas City, KS passed away peacefully April 3, 2020 from Covid 19 at KU with his loving wife and 2 children by his side at the age of 64. Russell was born on Easter on March 25, 1956 to John and Marilyn Vaca. He was the second blessing to their growing family which included an older brother that he looked up to and a little sister that came about 1 ½ years later. Russell graduated from Washington High School in 1974. At the age of 17, he met the love of his life Ramona Vaca (Nilges) through his now brother in law and she’s had his heart ever since. She fell in love with his beautiful green eyes and his smile. Russell and Ramona dated for approximately 2 years and were married on September 11, 1976 at Christ the King Catholic Church. In February of 1978 they added a little boy to their family and on Easter in April of 1979 they added their little girl.

Russell was a lover of antique cars and trucks. Throughout his life he owned various makes and models of vehicles, with his favorite being his 1967 Chevy Nova. He was always so proud of his vehicles. Early on, Russell started out working in the grocery business with his dad and brother. Around the time that he was married, he transitioned into working in the lumber business. He worked for Sutherlands, E. A. Nielson Lumber Company and Welborn Lumber. He also had a second job that he loved; delivering donuts for Judy’s Bakery. He would take his children with him on the routes at night.

Russell and his wife moved to Colorado for about a year to pursue his dream of living in the mountains, but returned to Kansas City after the birth of their first grandchild. Russell joined the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation in 2002 and invested every bit of himself in his work. He was a very hard-working man and always took pride in everything that he did. He made many close friends along the way.

Russell enjoyed spending time with his family, looking at cars and watching sports. He loved the KC Royals, KU basketball and the KC Chiefs. He wanted nothing more than to see his Chiefs win a Superbowl in his lifetime. Little did we know what was to come 2 short months later.

Russell is survived by his wife of 44 years and soulmate Ramona Vaca of Kansas City, KS and their children Russell Vaca Jr of Kansas City, KS and Jennifer Lucas (Jen) of Trenton, MO. He is also survived by his mother Marilyn Vaca, brother John Vaca (Kay), and sister Diane Vaca. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Colyn, Julianna, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Lillianna and Alexander. He loved nothing more than being a grandpa. He also leaves behind many extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father John Vaca.

Russell’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff on Unit 61 at KU for the kindness and care that you gave him and our family throughout this time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Go Fund Me page that a dear friend from Florida set up for his wife Ramona titled “Give Back to Ramona” to help with her finances and well-being.

Due to current restrictions a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.