Alfonso Zaldivar Casas

Alfonso Zaldivar Casas, age 72, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022. Alfonso was born March 5, 1950. He was born in Torreon, state of Cuahuila in Mexico on March 5, 1950, he was the second of seven children.

From an early age he exhibited talent in swimming, music, and art. He loved to draw and sketch with lead pencils or with black ink, they were his favorite mediums. He had an ear for music and self-taught himself to play the acoustic guitar. During holidays and family gatherings he would play the guitar as both of his parents (sang long to traditional Mexican classics). He was raised in a very traditional Catholic family with old strong family values.

He was only 20 when the family moved from Mexico to the United States in 1970, Kansas City is the place where he would call home for the remaining years of his life.

During his younger years and through his adult life he worked in different jobs, from house painter and handyman to maintenance support at Overland Park Racquet Club. In the mid 80’s his journey led him to an opportunity at Mission Hills, where he became maintenance lead at the personal residence of Mary Hudson owner of the Hudson Oil Company.

He found that he excelled in house improvement projects and carpentry. Soon after, Alfonso and Antonio Zaldivar (younger brother) joined forces to create a two-man home improvement company named “Zaldivar Home Improvement”. The brother’s combined skills brought them much opportunity and they became a trusted name for local homeowners and businesses in the KC metro area.

Time after time, and through the years and no matter how tough things could get in his life, he would always go back to his passion, art. As he would say…”Back to the drawing board”, (A dibujar) - painting, sketching and especially drawing would bring out the best in him. He left behind numerous pieces of artwork that the family owns and will proudly display for generations to come. His imagination ran free on the blank white sheets and cardboards. Scenes of paradise, nature, and celestial beings, all brought him peace and hope in times of sorrow.

He leaves behind his daughter, Joanna Zaldivar; his granddaughter, Monica Galvan and his beloved daughter, Rebecca Zaldivar. He also leaves behind his best friend, partner in life and brother, Jesus Antonio Zaldivar aka “TOÑIN”; his four sisters, Maria Luisa (he related to with his sense of humor), Sara (he loved her cooking), Rosa (he loved to hear her sing) & Carmen (who became his angel and the guardian of his well-being in all areas of his life). He also leaves behind the rest of his loving family.

His distant guitar still plays in our hearts, his silly sense of humor reminds us to laugh every day, and his fighting spirit, teaches us never to give up!

A visitation for Alfonso will be held Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:10 AM at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W. 71st Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204. A rosary service will be Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 10:10 AM to 10:30 AM, 7023 W. 71st Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 10:30 AM, 7023 W. 71st Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204. A committal service will be Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8321 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Zaldivar Casas family.