George Kenneth Smith Jr., 64, of Gardner, Kansas passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2022. He will forever be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to everyone he knew.
“Kenny” as he was known by his family and friends was born on December 11, 1957 in Olathe, Kansas to George Kenneth Sr. and Evelyne Arlene (Payne) Smith. He attended and graduated from Olathe High School. After graduation he attended classes at Johnson County Community College. He started out working as a machinist apprentice for Best Tool and Die. Shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, Carol Ann Wessling. They were married on April 25th, 1981 and together they raised their three children Ginny, Tim and Brad.
Kenny worked as a machinist for 14 years at the King Radio/Honeywell plant in Olathe, Ks before switching to LeVic Plastics in Grandview, Mo. where he spent 20 years as a Tool and Die Maker. He was currently working at Kubota in Edgerton, Ks. He was a member of Sacred Heart-Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Gardner Kansas. Kenny was very supportive of all the military men and women who are and have served their country and especially proud of his son and his father’s military service. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing and camping with close family and friends. He enjoyed watching western movies, his favorites were the movies with John Wayne “The Duke”. Kenny loved his music and took up DJ’ing for family and friends parties and weddings, something he and Carol loved to do together. Kenny dearly loved his family and friends but nothing gave him more pleasure in life than the times he spent with his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him.
Kenny is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Carol A. Smith of the home, daughter, Virginia (Ginny) Rapplean and her husband Kyle of Eudora, Kansas, Tim Smith and his wife Mallory and Brad Smith and his wife Tabby both of Gardner, Kansas. Left behind to cherish his memory are his seven grandchildren: Remington (R.J) Rapplean, Ruger Rapplean, Mackenzie
(Mac) Smith, Mayva Smith, Madelynn (Maddie) Smith, Kaelyn Smith and Teagan Smith. Kenny is also survived by his sister Shirley Curl and her husband John of Bella Vista, Arkansas. He sadly leaves behind his to pet companions, “Misty” and “Bailey”.
Kenny will be cremated according to his wishes. A Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2022 at Sacred Heart – Divine Mercy Catholic Church 555 West Main Street Gardner, Kansas. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the Memorial Mass.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of “Kenny Smith” may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research, Children’s Mercy Hospital, KCMO, Battle Within, Olathe or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered at: www.McGilley-Frye.com
