My sympathies to Faye and to family. Joe was a joy to share time with. Quite the firecracker!  I enjoyed all our visits that included fun discussions about family and Avila University. I was blessed to have known him! 
Jessie A Fuller 

In memory of the "Sage of Friendly Homes"
Patriarch Of the Vowells Family, Joseph Vowells

"Patriarch".....The Father and Head of a Family or a tribe like Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob in the Bible.
A man of great age and dignity...


When All That is Left But Love       
By Rabbi Allen S Maller

When I die If you need to weep, cry for someone walking the street beside you. You can love me most by by letting hands touch hands and souls touch souls. You can love me most by sharing your goodness and multiplying acts of kindness. You can love me most by letting me live in your eyes, and not on your mind. And when you pray for me, remember what scripture teaches. Love doesn't die, people do. So when all that's left of me is love, give me away.

Say not in grief, he is no more, but in thankfulness that he was.
Hebrew Proverb

Kathleen  Gier, Daughter
Rich  Gier, Son in law

I've known Joe Vowells over 25 years.  I became his financial advisor when his previous advisor retired.  We learned (rather I learned) how to work with one another.  Joe was steadfast in his faith and his hard knock background and work ethic.  He willingly shared his stories and his wisdom to me and my colleagues.  It was always a welcomed event whenever he visited our offices.  If a person was trustworthy, then you were Joe's friend for life.  
99 years is a long time and Joe lived almost 99 years with relatively good health.  He maintained a positive outlook, in spite of personal setbacks.  I learned from his character and strength.  I respected him and I sure hope he knew it.  
We all loved his wit and good nature, but when it came to business he was honest, fair and informed.  Joe often shared articles or investment knowledge that I missed.  He was so much fun.  He would tease me about something I didn't know.
God bless him and his family.  One last thing, he was so proud of every member of his family.; just like you are of him.
I will miss my friend, but I will carry and share his tidbits of wisdom, his ardent faith, his kindness and his positive outlook.  God gave me a special gift when I met Joe Vowells.

To Patty and Joe's family.  I am so sorry for your loss.  
I met Joe and Faye while working at Park Meadows Senior Living in Overland Park.  Joe was such a gentle man and a sweetheart.  He always had a smile not only on his face, but in his heart.  He would come to my desk to ask for a copy of something he read that he thought one of his kids/grands would like and always told me "make a copy for yourself too!"  He liked to tease me about Nikki Haley and how we had the same first name. When I was moved from the Assisted Living desk to the Independent Living desk, Joe still come to me for help.  And always had a friendly "Hello". My life was made better from knowing Joe.
I will miss Joe.

I echo Dan's sentiments.   A coupe of additional nuggets of wisdom from Grandpa.
- "Always pray for wisdom, courage, and perseverance."
- "Do. The Right. Thing."

In recent years, Grandpa would sometimes fall asleep in a chair at family gatherings for a small catnap.  I was always struck by the most peaceful look on his face, and thought, "that's good livin' right there."  Despite all of the hardships in his life, he always focused on his faith and the blessings he had received.  All of the photos posted show that too.

The Greatest Generation, indeed.

Dominus Vobiscum, Grandpa

My grandpa, Joe Vowells, passed away one month short of his 99th birthday. For 99% of those 99 years, he never got cheated. Not in life. And never at dessert. He was as kind as he was generous. And he was as generous as he was wise.

Every card he sent us grandkids was homemade, bearing his equally homemade “aeiou” logo. Scribbled throughout were some of his favorite sayings.

I can think of three nuggets of wisdom that have served me well over the years:

“Danny Babe, there are only two people you can’t fool in this life. The Good Lord and yourself.”

“The true sign of a champion is what he does down the homestretch.”

“Ilegitimati non carborundum.” 

Which is a loose Latin expression of, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

He was born on a tobacco farm in Kentucky in 1922. Moved to St. Mary’s, KS. Survived the depression. Went to Rockhurst College on a dishwashing scholarship. Joined the Army. Set the long jump record in basic training. (In his army boots.) Outran a German U-Boat on a Liberty ship. Never got a furlough. (Because of that damn Roosevelt.) Worked at Sears & Roebuck his entire career. And bestowed a lifetime of wisdom upon five grandkids and five great grandkids.

He was a man of faith. As Catholic as they come. And forever connected to the Jesuits. 

No one outdid him in the grandpa or great grandpa department. Nobody.

So, to honor him, I ask you do to one of these things:
• Have a second dessert
• Drizzle rum on a fruitcake
• Take your kids to a Royals game just to see how much they can eat
• Say “That Damn Obama” when referring to our former president
• Put an extra bill in the collection plate
• Yell at your kid’s ballgame, take pictures and unwittingly offend the other parents
• Add some sorghum molasses to your oatmeal
• Say a decade of the rosary
• Live long enough to hear your doctor say, “Joe, you just have to accept that fact that you’re not an 89-year-old man anymore.”

You’ll be missed, grandpa. I wouldn’t trade you for anything.


Joe was a kind man who always had a smile on his face and a story to tell.  He was the ultimate photo journalist and I’m thankful that we have many family photos due to him. Our last visit with him was filled with military stories. He and Aunt Faye were a lovely couple. He will be missed.

Joe was always thinking of others. A kinder man didn't exist. The love he shared with Faye was a beautiful thing to witness. He was a great story teller. I will miss him and his children have my deepest sympathies.

To Kathleen, Patty, and John - 
Uncle Joe was the epitome of a memory maker.  Hearing John share about Joe's insistence of  "one more picture" brings a  flood of memories back of visits at Grandma's house, wading in the creek, Grandpa's huge garden, and Uncle Joe wearing my Dad's cowboy boots. 
I'm saddened by Uncle Joe's passing and the void it leaves in your lives.  My prayer for you is peace and comfort in the memories you hold dear.
Love to each of you and your family.
Jeannie


OBITUARY

Joseph Poiner Vowells

June 19, 1922 – May 8, 2021

McGilley State Line Chapel

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