Obituary - Kenton Eiffert

Kenton Eiffert died Sunday, January 6, 2019. Services were held January 9, 2019. Donations may be made to the ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Chapter (alsa.org) Kenton was born in Harrisonville, Missouri on October 5, 1957, to Leon and Beverly Eiffert, joining sisters Debbie and Lee Anne. Living on Bird Street, he loved the neighborhood kids and being outdoors with everyone. He attended Harrisonville Elementary and High School, making many friends and holding those friendships close over the years. He loved sports, especially playing baseball (and watching the Kansas City Royals), playing basketball, and water-skiing. The family cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks was a favorite, frequent destination then and for the rest of his life. Here he spent cherished time with his loved ones.

After graduating from high school, Kenton went to college in Rolla, Missouri, where he played on the baseball team and earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Also, he met Jackie there, and they were married in 1980. They soon moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked for Shell Oil. They lived there for 10 years. He and Jackie met many good people in Houston, and again maintained these friendships as the years progressed. In 1991, they moved to Bakersfield, California, where Kenton worked for Shell, which later became AERA. He added many wonderful friendships there and from his Bakersfield neighborhood. They lived there till 2017, raising their children Kristy, Bethany, and Brett. Doing things with his family and friends continued to be Kenton’s first priority, such as frequently attending the kids’ school activities, and taking many trips with them and friends to explore California’s attractions (one being Yosemite National Park where they went camping and hiking every spring for over 25 years with the same core group of friends). Kenton planned many, many gatherings for those he loved around sporting events, including going to many college and pro baseball, basketball, and football games. In 2017 they returned to Missouri to live.

For the past four years, since Kenton was diagnosed with ALS, his family went all out to wring as much out of life with and for him as they could. To mention a few things, they took an Alaskan cruise with Jackie’s family, spent a lot of time at the Lake of the Ozarks, went to more college basketball games including the Final Four in 2016 and 2017, saw several Kansas City Chiefs games, went to Royals spring training several years, and of course, saw many Royals games. He was ecstatic to get to experience their 2015 World Series victory, as well as the one in 1985. In addition, he and Jackie took several road trips; one through the western states and the national parks with their faithful dog of 18 years, Roxy, and another road trip visiting old friends and family. Kenton kept his spirits up and always strived to make those around him feel happy.

His family and friends will always love Kenton and smile as they remember the many good times they spent with him.