Kenneth "Kc" Christian, Jr.

Kenneth “KC” Christian, Jr. died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 after a brief, courageous battle with neuro-endocrine cancer. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 8 at 10: a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 7301 Mission Road, Prairie Village 66208. Visitation will be from 8:30 until 10 a.m. preceding the Mass.

Ken was born February 13, 1942 to Kenneth Paul and Patricia (Melching) Christian in Kansas City, Mo., and was raised in Junction City, Ks. Ken met and married the love of his life, Micki (McKinnon) Christian in 1963 while they were both students at Loyola University, Chicago. After graduating in 1965 they moved to Kansas City. Between 1964 and 1969 they were blessed with four sons. In June of 2013, Ken and Micki celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Starting at an early age, Ken was setting and reaching goals with much gusto. After learning his prognosis last October, Ken often commented that he and Micki had lived “big” lives from the time they married while still in college to enjoying their six grandchildren while young enough to keep up with them. From earning his Eagle Scout award at the age of 14 to running for Prairie Village Councilman at the age of 27, to being the youngest sales manager at his insurance company and then founding his own insurance agency, Christian & Associates, at the age of 42, Ken roared through life at a “full-speed-ahead” pace.

Ken was selected to serve on the Attorney General’s committee which drafted the Victim Rights Bill in the state of Kansas, one of the first in the nation. Ken’s volunteer and civic activities revolved around his church, the boys’ schools and the Old Mission Jaycees. A man of many interests, Ken was a member of Homestead Country Club, Indian Hills Country Club, Ancala Country Club in Arizona, the Kansas City Rose Society, and the Heart of America Fly Fishing Association.

Since the arrival of grandchildren, Ken’s favorite role was that of a doting Grandfather. He took great joy in giving “three” to the kids, taking them fishing, the girls to the Plaza for high tea, watching numerous sporting events, saying “LubU!” and cooking up more memorable meals than we can count!

Whether you call him Ken, Kenny, Kenny Paul, KC, Dude or Pa, he was known far and wide for his quirky humor, zest for life, funky outfits, precious palate, expertise in the kitchen and love for family and friends. We will all dearly miss his hash browns, escargot, Caesar salad, Brian Buns, homemade sushi, mixed grill, special sauces and many more of his delectable treats. Ken took his fashion sense from, well, no one…from fishnet tanks, oversized plaid shirts, bib overalls, his full-length checkerboard robe, grey sweats, orange Crocs and “dead puppy” boots, Ken set his own style standards in the fashion world. Ken loved fly fishing, golf, entertaining and spending the winter months in Arizona for the past 20 years. Their friends from Eagle Mountain became a special part of Ken and Micki’s lives.

Ken was also a “car guy”…most likely because his dad owned and operated the first NAPA franchise in the state of Kansas. His first car was a 1927 Model T Ford coupe which he sold to travel to Europe in 1960. One of his last cars was a 1925 Model T Touring car, recently sold to a young “car guy” who was going to restore it.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and son, Brian. He is survived by his wife, Micki, son Kenneth III and grandson, Kenneth IV; son Ben (Liz) and granddaughter, Alex; and son Matthew (Kristen) and grandchildren Brian, Kala, Karly and Mac. He is also survived by his brothers Terry (Deb) and John Creighton and sister Renny (Mark) Arensberg as well as ten nieces and four nephews.

We know Ken is joyfully fist bumping many dearly departed in heaven and joyfully wrapping Brian in long-awaited bear hugs.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Kansas City Hospice House for their loving, compassionate and knowledgeable care.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Ann Angel Fund in care of Church of St. Ann, 7231 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS, 66208.