Gertrude R Kokes King

Gertrude R. King, 87 formerly of southwest Kansas City, Missouri died July 4, 2011 at Brighton Gardens of Port St Lucie, Florida. Gertrude was the widow of Thomas B. King, Jr. a former member of TWA management and retired Naval Commander. She was a loving mother, a homemaker, a businees woman and an active volunteer throughout her community and church. She was an active Republican. During the 70's she served a term on the Board of Director of the Citizen's Association and a term as Chairman of the 5th Congressional District Republican Committee. She was a former President of the 10th Ward Republican Club and the Eisenhower Republican Club. She was elected to the Jackson County Republican Committee serving as Committeewoman for 15 years. Gertrude had a great love for politics and when her children were young she often enlisted them into passing out flyers on election day because she wanted her kids to experience election day and the importance of voting.

Gertrude was a member of Christ the King Church, Kansas City, MO., the Women's Athletic Club, President and Past President's General Assembly and Leawood Country Club. She was born in Cape May, NJ. and lived in Kansas City for 52 years. Although Gertrude loved Kansas City, her heart belonged to Cape May, the beautiful Victorian town along the shore that she grew up in and where all her children and grandchildren would gather for family reunions. In 1998, at 74, Gertrude decided she was up for one last adventure so she and her loving companion Annie, a mini-Bull Terrier, moved to Pembroke Pines, Florida. There she was a member of St Edward's Catholic Church and was active in many ministries as a volunteer including Cell Leader, Eucharistic Minister, and member of Life-in-the-Spirit Seminar Team. She attended daily Mass and in her free time put together a book of prayers "Apologetics" which is currently used in various church groups. Gertrude will be missed deeply by all her family and friends near and far. We love you mom.

She is survived by four sons, Thomas B. King, III (Judy) of Colorado, Carl V. King(Janet) of Florida, Kevin J. King(Michelle) of Mississippi, William G. King(Carol) of Massachusetts: three daughters, Margaret D. Beck(Bob) of California, Mary C. Warinner(Bill) of Overland Park, KS and Lynn A. DeBacco(Tom) of Leawood, KS included are many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. A fifth son, Cdr. Mark G. King(Liv) of Tennessee pre-deceased her.

Services will be at Christ the King Catholic Church, 425 W. 85th St, Kansas City, MO on Monday the 11th of July. Visitation will be at 8:30am, the Rosary at 9:00am, Mass at 9:30am followed by the burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society - Kansas City Metro Office, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64105.