Eddie Gene Knisley

Eddie Gene Knisley, 90, passed away peacefully on December 24th, 2024 with his family by his bedside at The Princeton memory care center in Lee’s Summit, MO. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Ed will always be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, never running away from a challenge and living life to the fullest. Ed never met a stranger and loved to be surrounded by his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkiddos.

Ed was preceded in death by his mother and father, Winnie (Singleton) Knisley and Clarence P. Knisley, his sister Rosie Knisley (Evans) and infant daughter Sherrie Knisley.

Ed is survived by his wife Gloria, his daughters Kathy (Ken) Cox and Karen (Randy) Coker, by 5 grandchildren: Rachel (Johnny) Walter, Matthew (Rochelle) Coker, Lauren (Jeff) Needles, Ryan (Kirsten) Cox and Daniel Cox and by 9 great-grandchildren: Arthur, Ira, Sophia, Olivia, Eleanor, Etta June, Otis, Eli and Kellan.

Ed was born on November 2, 1934 in Kansas City, KS. He attended electronic technician school, and then began a career in servicing and selling office equipment. Ed and Gloria were married on October 1st, 1954. They started a Lanier dictation equipment (Electronic Office Systems, Inc.) dealership in Kansas City in August of 1970 and later expanded to Wichita, KS. Their business thrived under Ed & Gloria’s direction for over 30 years before daughter Kathy took over the business and runs it today.

Ed was a member of the United Methodist Church, Shriners’ Ole Cars, Masonic Temple of Kansas City, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Chapter 13, and Native Sons & Daughters of Kansas City.

Ed loved all watersports, excelling at waterskiing, sailing, scuba diving and even power boat racing. He built his own racing boats out of his garage and restored many classic cars, driving Slugger in many parades. Ed was a private IFR pilot and owned multiple aircraft. He was also an avid gardener and woodworker. The spirit of adventure was strong in Ed.

In the early 1970’s, Ed and Gloria bought a lot at Table Rock Lake and built a cabin that has been enjoyed by their extended family and friends for decades.

A Visitation will take place from 10:00am to 11:00am on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.

In honor of Ed’s generous spirit, the family asks that donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Although Ed is no longer with us, his legacy of laughter and compassion will live on.