A visitation for Joe will be held Monday, September 20, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Advent Lutheran Church, 11800 West 151st Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66062. A funeral service will follow on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM. A committal service with full military honors will occur Monday, September 20, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 12:45 PM at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the North family. The funeral service will be live streamed with a link below.
Joe was born on March 12, 1929 in Kansas City, MO to Clyde C. and Hazel W. North. He graduated from Redemptorist High School in 1946 where he was on the basketball and baseball teams. He continued to play baseball in the Ban Johnson League and continued playing into his late 20's. In 1951 he joined the army and served in the infantry during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he became a sales rep for American Standard, his lifelong career.
On May 17, 1953 he married Marilyn Johnson. Their family grew to include 3 daughters. He was a devoted husband and father. He and Marilyn were active members of Faith Lutheran Church. Their life together was centered around family. After retirement, they traveled frequently until Marilyn became ill. Joe was a compassionate caregiver until her death in 2001. To keep active, he took up racquetball and played with the "Spit and Whittle Gang". He also volunteered for Little Sisters of the Poor, driving the begging nun on her rounds.
He reconnected with his high school friends and married Roberta "Bobbie" Cosgrove in 2004. They enjoyed 10 years of happiness together. Following Bobbie's passing, Joe was privileged to take an Honor Flight trip to Washington DC. It was an experience he treasured and shared with others.
Joe chose to move to Tallgrass Creek. He readily made friends there through his neighbor, Ginny Caldwell. They enjoyed playing cards and attended many activities together. Joe served proudly on the veterans committee and encouraged others to sign up for an Honor Flight.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working jigsaw puzzles. His love of sports expanded from playing to coaching and later a frequent fan at the grandkids games. He followed the Royals regularly and offered strategic suggestions from his couch. To his chagrin, the managers did not listen.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Clyde Jr., and sister, Kathryn Burton. He is survived by 3 daughters: Susan (Barry) Childs, Linda (Keith) Palmer, and Laura North; 5 grandchildren: Katie (Kelly) Struebing, Kurt (Kelli) Childs, Derek (Andy Schmitz) Palmer, Kristen (Kyle) Loechel, and Matt Palmer: 7 great-grandchildren; Carson Struebing, Brady, Collin, and Leah Childs, Kennedy, Keira, and Killian Loechel.
Joe reached out and made a connection with everyone he met. He appreciated every kindness and relationship that touched his life. Joe shared his many life stories with great detail and humor. He will be dearly missed by his family and his large circle of friends.
