Cecil Kenneth Pribyl

Archetypal heroes come from mystical places, perform incredible feats, and literally change the world of people around them. Cecil Pribyl was such a hero and the Greatest Generation lost another paladin at the age of 88. Born on an Oketa, Kansas farm, whose house set in Kansas and its barn in Nebraska, Cecil grew up plowing and maintaining 600 acres of land while excelling in music and athletics. As a 1942 graduate of Barnston High School this Renaissance man played piano and trumpet for the 1930-40s traveling bands, such as Lawrence Welk’s Orchestra, meanwhile earning All-State honors in basketball and football that led to scholarship offers from the University of Nebraska. It was at this time he met and later married the true love of his life, Mary Ann Vineyard and left the farm for the city.

Eventually settling in 1955 in Kansas City, Kansas, Cecil made a mark for himself as owner of Edwards Vending Company, baseball coach, Boy Scout adult volunteer, Christ The King Church chairman of various committees, and private pilot. In between activities, his passion was being outside and making things grow. In 1988 he retired for the first time but soon found himself for the next twenty years working for the Woodlands and then later the Hen House.

Cecil conquered many adversities in his life, and people gravitated to his side to hear his stories and tales of valor. He challenged and motivated people around him to excel and to love family and life. But in the end the formidable foe of Alzheimer’s ended a life truly measured as gallant.

As always, his primary love was truly his family. He leaves behind his loving wife, Mary Ann, two sons Rick and Ron, daughter-in-laws Linda and Jeanne, sister and brother-in-laws Shirley and Darwin Sabin, grandsons Skip, Scott, Sean, Shea, David, Jamie, Patrick, Jeff, and granddaughter Kerri Brocker, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

The happiness rests with those of us who knew him. The sadness consumes those young ones who will never know such a champion.

Visitation will be held Friday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, KS at 9:30 AM, followed by a service at 10:00AM. Later, the burial will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Ks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Anthony Charity at Prince of Peace.