Homer Baldwin, Jr.
April 19, 1938 – May 27, 2021
Homer Baldwin, Jr., 83, Freeman, died May 27 at Cass Regional Medical Center, Harrisonville. Homer was born April 19, 1938, in Kansas City, the son of Homer, Sr., and Mildred (Weiss) Baldwin.
He was a United States Navy veteran. Homer was a career firefighter, becoming captain of the Kansas City Fire Department where he served for 35 years.
After retirement, Homer and his wife, Melva, moved to Freeman, to a farm he loved.
He enjoyed being a member of the Heart of America Trikers Association of Kansas City, the Kansas City Fireman’s Retiree Association and an active member of the Freeman Community Club.
Homer loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Homer was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Daniel Lee Baldwin; a daughter-in-law, June Baldwin; and two sisters, Rosemary Carpenter and Don, and Carolyn Polfer and Larry.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Melva (Uzzell) Baldwin, of the home; a daughter, Debra Rodriguez and Bryan Smith, Freeman; daughter-in-law, Vicki Kackley; two sisters, Joyce Elaine Marble and Roger, Garden City, and Carol May Eplee and Herb, Independence; six grandchildren, Eric Rodriguez, Stephanie Kilpatrick and Adam, Nicholas Rodriguez and Megan, Emily Park and Nick, Amber Rodriguez and Guy Ryan, Tom Kackley and Denise Thoreson; six great-grandchildren, Jullian, Annebelle, Gunner, Charlie, Ezra and Joey; and a sister-in -law and brother-in-law, JoAnn (Uzzell) and Jim Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were June 3 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Paola City Cemetery in Paola, Kansas.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
James L. Gaug
Nov. 15, 1949 – June 2, 2021
James “Jim” Lee Gaug, 71, Pleasant Hill, died June 2 at Pleasant Hill Health and Rehabilitation, Pleasant Hill. Jim was born Nov. 15, 1949, in Harrisonville, the son of Elmer M. Gaug and Winifred (Gresham) Gaug.
Jim was a graduate of Harrisonville High School. Jim married Jo Ann Van Gorkin in 1967 and to this union two children were born, Belinda and James Bradley Gaug.
In 2002, Jim married Brenda Richardson. He was a drywall contractor and self-employed sheetrock and construction worker most of his life. Jim enjoyed motorcycles and truck pulling.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Melinda Gaug; and brother-in-law, Darrel Cowan.
He is survived by his son, James Bradley, Harrisonville; brother, Elmer M. Gaug, Jr., and Martha, Meadville; a sister, Alma Cowan, Raymore; nephew, John Gaug, Shelby, and family, Vandalia; two nieces, Ruth Berends, David and family, Peculiar, and Mary Ann Taylor, Tim and family, Ft. Worth, Texas; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and two step-daughters.
Memorial services are currently pending. Memorial donations are suggested to University of Kansas Medical Center, Diabetes Center.
A private family burial will take place in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Charles Taylor
Jan. 19, 1928 – May 31, 2021
Charles “Bill” Taylor, 93, Harrisonville, died at his home on Memorial Day, May 31.
He married Mabel Elizabeth Wimp, Jan. 1, 1949. The Rev. Store performed the ceremony at the Marlborough Baptist Church parsonage in Kansas City. They lived in Kansas City before moving to Harrisonville in 1997.
Bill was an assemblyman at the Dart and Kenworth Truck Assembly Plant in Kansas City for 44 years until his retirement in 1983.
He was a Merchant Marine Veteran of World War II and a Marine Veteran of the Korean War. Bill was a member of VFW Post No. 4409 in Harrisonville and had been a member of the Harrisonville Honor Guard. He had served as a Boy Scout Leader for Troop No. 59 in Kansas City and was an honorary warrior of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.
Bill was a member of the Masonic Order, a member of Ararat Shrine in Kansas City and a member of Faith Baptist Church, Harrisonville.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a sister.
He is survived by his wife, Mabel Taylor, of the home; two sons, Richard Taylor, Harrisonville, and Robert “Buck” Taylor and wife, Patsy, Kansas City; a brother, Sam Williams, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a sister, Norma Pyle, Springfield; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service was June 8 at the Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville.
The family suggests contributions to the church.
Inurnment will be at a later date at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Thomas S. Harris
Sept. 30, 1960 – June 3, 2021
Thomas Scott Harris, 60. Amoret, died June 3 in Butler. He was born Sept. 30, 1960, the son of Olen Lewis and Doris Edna Harden Harris in Kansas City, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Terry and Tim Harris; and a sister, Sue Rutherford.
Scott is survived by his four daughters, Becky Ellis, Stockton, Pennie Harris, Osawatomie Kansas, Kimberly Urban, Brumley, and Samantha Harris and fiancé Jesse LeeMasters, Butler; seven grandchildren, Braxton Pitcher, Jacklyn Sweat, Zachary King, Garrett Urban, Ezra Ellis, Vaughn Helmer and Jaxson LeeMasters; two great-grandchildren, Blayne Morse and Jupiter King; two brothers, Rick Harris, Louisburg, Kansas, and Frank Harris, Parsons, Kansas; sisters, Winnie Autrey and Trudie Muncy and husband Bud, all of Linn Valley, Kansas, Pat Strain, Louisburg, Kansas, and Glenda Rutherford, Ponca City, Oklahoma; and many nephews and nieces.
Graveside services were June 3 at Ninety-Six Cemetery near LaCygne, Kansas.
Contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Helen L. Millard
Sept. 11, 1933 – June 3, 2021
Helen Louise Ewbank Millard, 87, Butler, died June 3 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, Butler. She was born Sept. 11, 1933, the daughter of Walter Kelley and Thelma Mitts Ewbank in Amoret.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George, in 2007; a brother, Dean Ewbank; and two sisters, Marlene Cole and Wilma Hansen.
Helen is survived by two daughters, Vickie Popplewell and husband Pat, Butler, and Linda Martin and husband Douglas, Paola, Kansas; four grandchildren, Douglas Martin, Jeremy Martin, Valerie Newkirk and Patrick Popplewell; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral services were June 8 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler. Burial was in Woodfin Cemetery, Foster.
Contributions are suggested to Happy Hill Church of God.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Richard J.D. Perkins
June 14, 1972 – May 21, 2021
Jay Perkins, 48, Adrian, died May 21 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City. Richard Jayson Duane Perkins was born June 14, 1972, in Bakersfield, California, the son of Clifton Duane and Dorothy Lee Overturf Perkins.
Jay was always the life of the party, keeping everyone entertained and smiling. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and horseshoes, just to list a few of his hobbies.
Jay’s true love in life was his family. He was always happiest when surrounded by the ones he loved. He was a very proud papa.
Jay was always a very generous and giving person, so it was only fitting that upon his passing he donated his organs to
ensure others will have the ability to live.
Jay was preceded in death by his father, Duane Perkins; step-father, George Wolford; and brother, Clifton Dale Lee Perkins.
He is survived by his wife, Wendy Perkins; mother, Dorothy Wolford; sons. Richard and Dakota Perkins; daughters, Jessica Figgatt and husband, Joshua, and Destiny Perkins; grandchildren, Leigha Mae, Cecillia, Summer, Jayson, Bradley, Jazzmyne and Angel; his brothers, David and Dean Perkins; sister, Darla Gragg; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Cremation, with a celebration of life service June 5 at the Assembly of God Church in Adrian.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.