Roy Edward Sportsman

Roy Edward Sportsman, age 94 of Belton, Missouri, passed away on February 4th, 2016 in Overland Park, Kansas. Roy was the son of Robert J. Sportsman and Alice E. (Solomon) Sportsman and the brother of Roberta (Sportsman) Anderson, and brother in law of Dale Anderson, and best friends with James “Nick” and Gayle Nickel, all of whom are deceased. After his birth in Rothville, Missouri, the family moved to Marceline, Missouri where he lived until the age of 20 when he was drafted after Pearl Harbor. Roy served in the US Army and US Air Force for over 31 years and spent 90 days working with the French Resistance prior to and preparing for the Normandy Invasion, for which he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. Assigned to the Signal Corps, Roy rapidly rose to the rank of Master Sergeant due to his unique expertise and his heroism during WWII. By the end of the war, Roy had earned the Bronze Star and the Soldiers Medal, among other decorations and awards. In 1946, Roy married the love of his life Denise Beatrice Darras in Fontenay aux Roses, France. They were married for nearly 60 years. She preceded him in death in 2005.

After the war, Roy remained in the military serving in many parts of the world until retiring in 1971. After his retirement, he completed his BS Ed. and MS degrees at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and begin teaching math at Raymore Elementary School and Ray-Pec Middle School where he remained for seventeen years. He loved students, teaching, and math, in that order. After his retirement from teaching, he began working in the Blue Valley School District as a substitute teacher and as a math tutor for middle school and elementary students.

Roy leaves three children, Marc Robert Sportsman (Marianne) of Parkville, Missouri; Patricia Marguerite Sportsman Blair (Stephen) of Plano, Texas, and Michel A. Sportsman (Jodi) of Overland Park, Kansas.

He leaves seven grandchildren, Scott Robert Sportsman, Amy Marie Sportsman Schroeder (Ryan), Kathryn Denise Lewis Taylor (Trey), Christina Lucy Lewis (Eve), Leslie Blair Shpiller, Elise Marguerite Sportsman Baker (Jim), and Gregory Darras Sportsman (Paige).

He also leaves fifteen great grandchildren, Mick Charles Schroeder, Liam Robert Schroeder, Brady Glendon Taylor, Lucie Grace Taylor, Remy Marie Taylor, Madison Shpiller, Bennett Hardy Batchelder, Reece Austin Lewis, Simone Dylan Lewis, Brianne Marguerite Baker, Kimberlee Denise Baker, Brett Michael Sportsman, Sarah Catherine Sportsman, Brady Owen Dugan, and Brinley Marie Dugan.

Roy was truly a member of the “greatest generation” who demonstrated bravery, generosity, kindness, and compassion for all he knew. His passing is also mourned by his many friends and acquaintances in the Belton and Kansas City areas. Services will be at the McGilley-George Funeral home in Belton, MO at 611 Chestnut Street on Monday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. preceded by a visitation at 10:00 a.m. The family requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Blue Valley USD229 Educational Foundation, 15020 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas 66223 to advance the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) or the Raymore Peculiar Public School Foundation at PO Box 789, Peculiar, MO, 64078-0789. Condolences for the family may be left at www.mcgilleygeorgebelton.com Arr. by McGilley & George Funeral Home 611 Chestnut Belton, MO 64012 (816-322-2996)