Growing up he attended St. Cyril’s Catholic Church and Sugar Creek Grade School. At Northeast High School he starred as center on their 1949 Interscholastic League City Champion football team. He served in the US Air Force for four years (1951-1955), spending two of those in Korea. Immediately before leaving for overseas, he met his future wife, LaVon at a wedding reception in Sugar Creek. He wrote her every day from Korea and upon his return, they were married on June 26, 1954. They were never apart during their 66 years of marriage.
Joe worked as a shipping clerk at the Standard Oil refinery in Sugar Creek, his only job, and retired in 1991. His devotion to his family was unlimited, as was his selflessness.
In retirement, Joe and LaVon traveled the country to be there for every child’s or grandchild’s birthday or special event, never missing one.
Joe passed away on the morning of April 19, 2021 at the age of 89. During his final days, he was surrounded by all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be scheduled for this summer; family, and friends will be notified once the date is settled.
Please send your condolences to the family on https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/independence-mo/newcomers-nolandroad-chapel/9702
In lieu of flowers, gifts are to be sent to the Johnson County Community College Foundation to fund a veteran’s scholarship in his name.
He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 66 years, LaVon. He will be fondly remembered and cherished by his children; Joe (Stacy) Sopcich Overland Park, KS; Kathy Brewster (Bill) Orlando, FL.;Cindy Yager, Batavia, IL. And dearly missed by his grandchildren: Eli and Kate Sopcich, Billy (Krissy) and Michael Brewster, Alex and Marko Yager and great granddaughters, Bella and Kaia Brewster
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18