A Celebration of Chris’s Life will be held at 7:00 PM, with a visitation starting at 5:00 PM, on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, MO 64119. His Celebration of Life will conclude with police honors and final call.
Chris was born in Kansas City, MO to Mary (May) and William L. Atwood on June 19, 1947. He graduated from East High School. He married Susan Karol on June 30, 1989 in Kansas City, MO.
Chris retired from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department in 1996 after 25 years of service. He had many assignments over those 25 years including SWAT, Homicide Detective and finally Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Detective. During his years of service, Chris received 40 letters of appreciation, 9 letters of commendation, 3 certificate of commendations and 2 supervisory notices. One of his proudest accomplishments while on the department was being a vital part of starting the Gang Task Force for the KCPD where he developed a training program for officers and civilians. As part of the task force, he traveled to schools and various organizations to educate and spread gang awareness making special efforts to persuade young children and teens away from the gang way of life. After his retirement, Chris continued his passion for public service work as Assistant Police Chief for Pleasant Valley Missouri Police Department. He eventually became a Sergeant for the KCPD at MCI Airport where he served for 10 years before hanging up his gun and retiring his badge for good. Prior to his career in law enforcement, Chris was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served in the Air Force as an MP discovering his passion and gift for police work.
When Chris wasn’t chasing bad guys and solving crimes, he served one term as President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50. He also volunteered his time by serving as a board member for Whatsoever Community Center where he once spent time as a young boy lacing up boxing gloves and challenging others to join him in the ring before graduating to back alley street fights. His other passions included playing guitar while singing his favorite tunes, fishing with absolutely anyone up for the adventure, playing and coaching baseball and softball, bowling leagues with his buddies, pulling legendary pranks and of course spending as much time as possible with his greatest loves…his family and friends.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Margaret (Sirginous) Atwood; and brother, David Atwood.
He leaves behind his wife, Susan; children, Christopher Atwood and Meghan Atwood-Rocha; grandchildren, Jacob L. Atwood, Sydni (Trevor) Johnson, Carter Rocha and Elori Rocha; great-grandchildren, Keeley Johnson and Kash Foreman; brother, Phillip (Dee) Atwood; nieces and nephews, Kala Nelson, Phillip (Monica) Atwood, John Atwood, Shawn Atwood, Mindi (Jeremiah) Jones, Holly Atwood, Dana Rinehart and a host of other extended family to cherish his memory.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.
Memorial donations may be given to
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50
914 NW Main Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
816-525-7727
The family of Chris Atwood wishes to extend our sincere thanks to three close family friends Ryan Graves, Wanda Staude-Booth and Jason Rocha as well as the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and Retirees.
