He grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Class of 1963. He was united in marriage to Mary Mackey at the Linwood Methodist Church in Kansas City, Missouri on September 28, 1964. They would make their home in Kansas City where he worked for the Fred Harvey Restaurant at Union Station. In 1968 his job would take them to the Chicagoland area where in 1972 he began working for Electro-Motive Diesel in La Grange, Illinois where he would retire in 2002 as a payroll supervisor.
He was a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan even while living in the Chicago area. He was also involved in his community and he served as a Federation Chief for the Illinois State Indian Princesses.
When he retired they would often make trips to their lake home in Warsaw and in 2012 they made it their permanent residence. He also served as Treasure of the Cold Turkey Acres HOA for several years during retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, JT Mackey.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home, two children, Deborah Dea (David) of Willowbrook, Illinois, Alicen Newman (Shawn) of Kansas City, Missouri, 3 grandchildren, Shana, Sarah and William, 5 great grandchildren, Mayson, Logan, Aubree, Levi and Damien, his mother-in-law, Alice Mackey of Lee's Summit, Missouri, several cousins in Springfield, Missouri, Massachusetts and Connecticut, other relatives and friends.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to the Reser Funeral Home and services will be held at a later date with interment in the Longview Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Osage Valley Fire Department c/o Reser Funeral Home, P.O. Box 910, Warsaw, Missouri 65355.
