Leroy Shaver

Leroy was larger than life. He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. The hardest working man you will ever know.

Leroy was born June 10th,1943, in Stella, Arkansas, to Mellie May Moser (Guion, AR) and (Homer) Clyde Shaver (Lunenburg, AR). He was a hard working young man, helping to provide for his single mother and 5 amazing sisters. He grew up picking cotton from sunrise to sunset with his family in Arkansas, apples in Washington, and cherries in Michigan. As poor as he was, he always appreciated just how lucky he was, how loved he was. He loved sharing stories from his school days as a Mount Pleasant Bluebird (Class of 1961) and all his great classmates. After high school, Leroy hitch hiked around the country with his best friend Doug Bailey (d.1971), traveling to national parks and taking odd jobs along the way. Leroy moved to Kansas City and studied biology at Donnelly College while working at Lockhart Lab. In his twenties, Leroy was deputized by the Wyandotte County Sheriff and worked security at a drive-in movie theater.

In August 1971, Leroy started working as a manager at the State Drive-In, the same night as Mary Samek (Kansas City, MO), the love of his life. Leroy and Mary were married at the Wyandotte County Courthouse November 16, 1973. They would go on to have four children over the next 10 years, building a life of love and hard work. Leroy developed his skills as a magician, Donald duck impersonator, acrobatic kid tosser, high diver, plumber, electrician, and repairman. He really could fix anything. He had many great trips with his wife and theater friends to Show-A-Rama in Las Vegas to meet famous actors. He taught his kids many life skills, including high jumping, cliff diving, fire building, whistle carving, barn painting, roofing, fishing, skiing, horseback riding, boat waxing, fence building, working on rental properties, auto repair and maintenance, corvette driving and teeth brushing. Working at the drive-in became a family affair, all of his children and eventually several grandchildren, got to work at the Twin Drive-In with Leroy. He was a fierce protector of his loved ones, he even made his daughters get a green belt in karate before they were allowed to date, and made karate a way of life for his sons. Leroy never wanted any gifts, he only wanted more hugs and kisses. He was a gentleman.

Leroy enjoyed spending time with his family, including his 12 grandchildren, boating around the lake, trips down to the farmhouse in Arkansas, riding around on his tractor, watching westerns, game nights with friends and family, trips to the casino, cheering on the Royals and the Chiefs, watching movies, playing pool and helping others without ever expecting anything in return. Leroy continued his karate journey, even earning his black belt in Shotokan karate.

Leroy leaves a legacy of hard work, love, courage and honor. To have known him is to have known a truly good man. He will be greatly missed.

Leroy is survived by his loving wife, Mary Patricia Shaver (Kansas City, KS), his children Le’re (Michael) from Shawnee, KS, Angela (Jeremiah) from Berthoud, CO, Patrick (Krysti) of Lenexa, KS and Christopher (Christina) of Basehor, KS, his grandchildren Storme (Avery), Talon, Brianna, Tysen, Briley, Gavin, Alaska, Sonya, Sierra, Casen and Weston and his sisters Vera Vickery of Sage, AR, Ann Johnson of Mount Pleasant, AR and Betty Cook of Cushman, AR. Leroy is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Leroy is preceded in death by his daughter Sonya Ann Shaver, his mother Mellie Shaver, his father Clyde Shaver, his sisters Virginia Gaye Williams and Clyda Brooks.

A memorial service for Leroy Shaver will be held on Friday, June 2nd, at 10:30am at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com for the Shaver family.