Stephen Phillip Dees

He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 21, 1943. Steve grew up in Weir, Kansas and graduated from Weir High School in 1961. He received his B.A. and J.D. from Washington University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He began his career at Stinson, Mag & Fizzell. He later worked at Farmland Industries as general counsel before opening their first international office in Mexico City in 1993. Steve ended his legal career at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. He was a season ticket holder and loyal fan of the Kansas City Royals for 50 years. Steve was always armed with a smile, joke, or song to sing no matter the circumstances. He was a lesson for us all on the power of optimism and positivity. He faced his 22 year battle with Parkinson’s disease with strength and courage. He was deeply loved and will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Dees and Mary Ledbetter Dees, and his brother, Don L. Dees. He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Linda Dees; his children, Emily and Kip Strauss, Dan and Daun Dees, Matt and Tara Dees, and Charles Dees; and his nine grandchildren: Sydney and Lily Strauss, Kendall, Taylor, Deven, Jordan, DJ Dees, and Harper and August Stephen Dees.

The family wishes to thank Steve’s caregivers, his Kansas City Hospice team, his Rock Steady coaches and teammates, his PD medical care team– and all those who contributed to his desire to fight another day.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any memorial contributions be directed to Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Steve’s memory. Online donations can be made at www.lawmo.org (http://www.lawmo.org/) or donations can be mailed to Legal Aid of Western Missouri at 4001 Dr. Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Blvd, Suite 300, KCMO, 63140.

A funeral service for Stephen will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. The kevurah will occur directly following from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM in Mount Moriah Cemetery South. Shiva will be held 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Wednesday at Family Home, please call for the address. Minyan will occur at 8:00 PM during Shiva at the family home.