Benjamin Lee Shively

Benjamin Lee Shively, 38, Overland Park, Ks., suddenly passed away July 19th, 2014 at North Kansas City Hospital from complications related to a senseless car accident on July 2nd, 2014. Visitation is Friday, July 25 from 9:30 -11:30 a.m., at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W 103rd St, Overland Park, KS, 66214. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00. Burial will be at Mount Moriah Cemetary, 10507 Holmes Rd, KCMO, 64131, following the Mass.

Brian and Sherry Shively blessed us with Ben’s birth on June 30th, 1976 in Denver, Colorado. Being obstinate from the start, Ben tried to back into the world. Ben and his family moved to Overland Park, KS in 1977. He spent the next several years being a best friend to his older brother Matthew, and an inspiration to his younger sister Meg. He attended Oak Park Elementary and Indian Woods Middle School. He went to Rockhurst High School and graduated from Shawnee Mission South. He graduated college from University of Central Missouri in 2000 with a degree in Computer Science and Math. Before UCM, he attended and played soccer at Johnson County Community College, Rockhurst College and UMKC.

Ben loved new experiences. He was riding a bike and swimming before other kids his age. He played all the sports kids play. His favorite might have been baseball; but he also excelled at swimming and soccer.Ben’s determination to succeed was unmatched. Things did not always come easily to him. As a young adolescent, Ben wanted to play on a premier soccer team called the Comets. He tried out and was cut. Naturally, that only challenged Ben. Determined to play for them, he practiced extensively and won a spot on the team the following year. Ben made many lifelong friends from that team. They started out loving his spirit and began realizing his many unique characteristics. He would be their devoted friend and, for some of them, a loyal, energetic teammate in high school and college.

It was at Rockhurst College where he met his love, Christy Neenan. Ben and Christy were well matched. They married on August 12th, 2000. Ben loved the size and closeness of her family. He also loved they were Catholic; something he had considered since his days with the Comets. Ben converted to Catholicism in 2000. He demonstrated great zest with his conversion, as he did with everything. During the ceremony, he shouted out his presence when his name was called. That energy caused the priest to proclaim, “Now that man wants to be a Catholic!” Ben did all things that way- brashly with aggressiveness and eager anticipation.

Ben became passionate about the food service industry while working at Planet Sub. Wanting more, he saw opportunity with Golden Corral to establish his own restaurant. After a few years training in Denver, he was determined to come back home and own a Golden Corral. He realized that goal and his peers elected him to the Franchise Advisory Council after only one year as a franchise owner. It was not enough for him; so he opened a second Golden Corral in St. Joseph, MO. He knew his guests names and made them feel welcomed. He considered his employees and guests as a second family.

For the last several years, Ben and Christy have been raising their 4 beautiful children- Samantha, Olivia, Lucy and Tyler, in his childhood neighborhood. They made friendships that he cherished. Ben could not have enough friends. More friends meant a richer life. If you befriended Ben once, it was for life. He made an impression on most of the people he met.

Ben is survived by his wife, Christina Neenan Shively, their children, Samantha (12), Olivia (11), Lucy (8), and Tyler (5); parents Brian and Sherry Shively of Overland Park; brother Matthew Shively of Arvada, Co.; sister Meg Kaemmer (Kyle); grandmother Mildred Shively; In laws Mike and Linda Neenan; sisters- in-law: Louisa Weinrich (Jeff), Sarah Mallon (Mike); brothers-in-law: Kevin Neenan (Lee), Andrew Neenan (Lara), Patrick Neenan and Michael Neenan. He was a fun uncle to 20 nieces and nephews. He is survived by many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by: son, Ian; Grandparents Lois and Francis Farris; Grandfather Bob Shively; Aunt Sheila Farris; brother in law Stephen Neenan; and his most loyal friend and longtime pet Smokey.

In the last 3 weeks there has been innumerable family and friends that offered heart felt support. Christy and the Shively family would like to thank all of these wonderful people.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shively Family Fund, % Country Club Bank, 9400 Mission Road, Leawood, KS, 66208.