Joel was born March 24, 1952, in Kingman, Kansas, to Venora and Bruce Voran and grew up in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and became a lifelong, loyal Jayhawk fan, a fitting tradition for the son of a KU basketball player. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Texas.
Joel spent his entire legal career at one firm, Lathrop & Gage, where he practiced estate planning and served as the firm’s CEO from 2007 to 2013. A natural leader, he mentored countless colleagues and generously shared his time, experience, and wisdom. Joel was also a great civic leader in Kansas City, including chairing the Board of Trustees of the University of Missouri - Kansas City. His commitment to helping others extended beyond the firm through his support of local charities and his involvement in the Church.
In 1979, Joel married the love of his life, Marsha. Together, they raised three children, Erica, Ben and Ashley, building a life filled with family, friendship, laughter, and adventure.
Joel was smart, creative and quick-witted, with a gift for finding humor and turning an ordinary experience into a memorable story. He loved to write, whether composing limericks, recounting generously embellished tales of growing up in Pretty Prairie or sharing his Lessons on Life (LOL as he called them) with his family.
When Joel noticed that the wives in his circle had book clubs and bunco groups, he decided the men needed a tradition of their own. He founded the Knights of Culture, bringing friends and their sons together for shared experiences around Kansas City. As with so many things in his life, Joel was the leader who brought everyone together.
He enjoyed traveling, hiking in Colorado, playing tennis, dinner clubs with friends and sporting events, especially when the Jayhawks were playing. He was always up for an adventure with family and friends.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease Joel carried his cross without complaining at the cards he’d been dealt. His only complaint about the disease was that it was robbing him of time and experiences with his grandchildren. He wanted more time to watch them grow, share in their adventures and be part of their lives.
Joel is survived by his wife, Marsha; his children, Erica (Jon), Ben (Jaclyn) and Ashley (Zach); his nine grandchildren, Maddie, Olivia, Grace, Leo, Ella, Grayson, Charlie, Jack and Annie; and his sister, Jill Voran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Venora and Bruce Voran.
His wit, stories, and Lessons on Life will stay with those who loved him, as will the example he set in making time for others and bringing people together.
Services will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at The Church of the Nativity with a visitation at 10 a.m., followed by the Rosary at 10:45 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Joel’s honor to the Sister Servants of Mary or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
