George Henry Bender

He had a wonderful life with many people and family who loved him dearly, you couldn’t help but like him when you met him.

George was preceded in death by his parents; Henry S. Bender, and Margaret (Peggy) Lackey Bender. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cyrilla (Worley) Bender, his daughters Kim Bender of Grain Valley, MO and Tiffany (Bender) Yuille of Kingsville, MO, son-in-law Thomas Yuille and 6 grandchildren, Titus, Tinley, Taylin, Tyce, Truett and Tadeus (to be born 7-14-25), brother Tom Bender and sister-in-law, Vicki Bender of Lee’s Summit, two nieces and one nephew, two great nieces and two great nephews

George’s family moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in 1965 and owned a Western Auto store. They were considered Pioneer residents with one of the first businesses. George contributed greatly to the running of the store.

George loved watersports on the lake. He also enjoyed riding trail bikes and driving dune buggies in the desert. He was scuba certified and dived at local lakes. George graduated from Kingman High School in 1969 then worked at the McCullough Chainsaw factory there. George moved back to Kansas City, Mo, in 1970 where he worked for Hallmark Cards, retiring after 38 years of service.

One of George’s co-workers was married to a woman that worked with Cyrilla and they set George and Cyrilla up on a blind date. (George always said, he's still blind”). They married after a year of dating, on January 6th, 1979. Cyilla wanted 10 kids. George said, “Not by me you aren't!”, so they became foster parents a few years into the marriage. Their first foster child was Kim, their daughter as of 1991. She was 3 ½ years old and adopted when she was 5 ½. Tiffany was their third foster child, and she was just 4 months old when she came to them. Then in 1993, they adopted Tiffany when she was 1 ½ years old. George and Cyrilla had 75 foster children over 12 years. So, guess she got her 10 after all!In 1996, they founded Mothers Outraged at Molesters, M.O.M.s, working to get laws changed as well as helping get sex offenders out of chat groups. The organization closed but they continued advocating for children's rights and safety. After retirement, he worked part-time at Hyvee on 40 and Noland Rd for 6 years to do something outside the home.

He enjoyed attending local car races with his brother and friends. He brought his 1933 Chevrolet coupe, a hot rod, to many car shows and cruises. He and Cyrilla were members of the Kansas City Rodtiques for many years.

In 2017, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and life was not the same after that. He struggled with high and low blood pressure (Hypertension, Orthostatic) throughout the 8 years.

George was a good man who loved Jesus, his wife, his family, as well as his community. He was always a quiet man; in fact, the first year they were married, Cyrilla would ask a lot, Are you mad at me? He would say no, he was just a quiet man. But if he had a joke or something to say, he would! He will be missed by so many people he met over his years here on earth, but will rejoice in heaven with all who went home before him. 46 blessed years together! I do not regret one day being his wife. He is now eye to eye with the one who created him. Safe journey, my love.

Rest in peace, my love. It's not goodbye, it's until we meet again.

A visitation for George will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Grace Fellowship, 101 SW S Ave, Blue Springs, MO 64014, followed by a memorial service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in George's memory may be made to Grace Fellowship, 101 SW S Ave, Blue Springs, MO 64014, https://www.gracefbs.org/