Charles Rodney LaMothe

Charles Rodney LaMothe (Rod) of Leawood, KS passed away peacefully on July 18, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Rod was born March 2, 1936 in St. Louis, MO to Margaret and Charles J. LaMothe. Rod attended St. Louis Country Day School, where he was an all- city football player; following that, he graduated from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Business degree in 1958.

After graduation Rod became a very successful sales representative for family-owned St. Louis Terminal Warehouse Company which operated river terminals and warehouses in St. Louis, MO and Memphis, TN. In 1962 Rod was named President of the company’s bulk terminal and warehousing operations in Kansas City, Mid-West Terminal Warehouse Company, Inc. Under Rod’s leadership, the bulk terminal and warehousing operations grew significantly, but it was Rod’s foray into real estate development and ownership, which would become his passion, that truly grew Mid-West Terminal. With the development and ownership of millions of square feet of industrial buildings, bulk terminals, and the ownership of numerous single family rental homes, Rod established Mid-West Terminal and its subsidiaries into one of the largest family-held real estate companies in Kansas City. Rod continued to come into the office every day until just before his passing, and he will be greatly missed by many current and former employees who respected him immensely and received his respect in return.

Aside from business, Rod had a passion for travel. Starting in 1958, with an unheard of at the time 5-month solo trip around the world, his travels continued throughout his life with yearly trips throughout the world. With his wife and close group of friends, Rod attended American Warehouse Association (AWA) and International Federation of Public Warehouses (IFPWA) conferences and post trips. Most times Rod would bring the entire family along to share his joy of travel and photography. Rod loved to spend his winters on the beautiful island of Sanibel, FL and in the summer, make quick weekend jaunts up to his home on Lake Waukomis to take boat rides and feed the ducks.

During a business sales call in 1969, Rod met the beautiful Margaret “Margie” Schoellkopf and six months later they were married - Rod didn’t mess around with a good opportunity. Margie and Rod remained happily married for 48 years until his passing.

Rod is survived by those he cherished most: his wife Margie of the home; sons Charles “Joe” (Cathy) of Prairie Village, KS; and David (Kristi) of Mission Hills, KS; one sister Joan LaMothe Bebee of St. Louis MO; and his beloved grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud: Charlie, Anna, Lane, Kaden and Cahill.

Rod believed strongly in giving back to the community and industries in which he enjoyed so much success. He was past chairman of the American Warehouse Association, holding the annual convention in Hawaii in 1980; past chairman of the International Federation of Public Warehouses Association, hosting the annual convention in Kansas City in 1988 with over 20 countries represented by 300 delegates from around the world in attendance; past chairman of the Missouri Warehouse Association; co-founder of the Kansas City Industrial Council; co-founder of the Mid-America Warehouse Association, and past president and integral force of the Northeast Industrial Association. He was a co-sponsor of legislation creating Enterprise Zones in KCMO. He was a former advisory board member for the Mary Institute & St Louis Country Day School (MICDS) in St. Louis. In 2000, he was the recipient of a proclamation from the city council of Kansas City, MO honoring his accomplishments in industrial development and the numerous jobs his developments created in the Kansas City area. He was a lifetime supporter of the American Royal Association, The American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Sanibel/Captiva Conservation Foundation, and countless other charities.

Rod’s family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, administration, and Chaplin Lee at St Joseph’s Hospital for the professional care Rod was given and the true empathy shown to the family during these difficult last several weeks.

Visitation and celebration of Rod’s life will be at Indian Hills Country Club, 6847 Tomahawk Rd, Mission Hills, KS 66208 on Tuesday, July 25 from 5-8 pm. A funeral service will be held the following day, Wednesday, July 26, at 10 am in the Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Chapel, 10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131 with a private family burial after. Flowers welcome (Rod loved flowers of all kinds), but donations are preferred to a charity of your choice in Rod’s memory.

Rod will be dearly missed by his family and friends but his legacy will always continue through his family, his business, and the memories shared with all the lives he touched during his time with us.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.