Joyce Darlene Jackson
July 14, 1939 – April 18, 2022
Joyce Darlene Jackson was born July 14, 1939, to Clifford Levell and Norma Drew Levell in Keytesville. She died April 18 at Crown Care Center, Harrisonville, and into the arms of Jesus.
Joyce was always jovial, a little mischievous and enjoyed a good laugh. She loved helping and caring for others. She worked at many jobs in retail and took an odd job here and there. The job she enjoyed most was working as an activity director at Camden Health Care, Harrisonville, for 14 years. She often took her little dog, Precious, with her so the residents could enjoy her. She loved spending time with friends during in her marriage playing cards. Her husband, John, died in 200.
As her health declined and she had to go to long term care, she found ways to continue to help by being president of the Residents Council and leading Bible studies.
She married John Benton Jackson June 21, 1958 and had two children, Jacquelyn Darlene Jackson and John Benton Jackson II. She loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren when they were young.
She is survived by her daughter, Jackie Kumm, and husband, Walter; her son, John Jackson, and his wife, Jeanna; several grandchildren including Diana Hiestand and her husband, Spencer, Burt Schlagle, and Robin Jackson and her fiancée, James Gill; step-grandchildren, Jake Kumm and his wife, Cindy, Rachel Agcopra and her partner, Seth; step great-grandchildren Caden Agcopra and Dylan Grab, Bennett and Brayleigh; and great-grandchildren Ellie, Gauge and Baby Boy Heistand, who is on the way; a sister Christene Wages -Taylor and her husband, Bud; a deceased brother, Dorsey Levell, who is survived by his wife, Carolyn Levell; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held April 30 at the United Methodist Church, Archie.
Gene Allen Knox
Dec. 20, 1947 – April 25, 2022
Gene Allen Knox was born during a winter storm on Dec. 20, 1947, in the family home west of Harrisonville. He was the second son of James Howard and Frances “Brownie” (McGee) Knox. Gene died April 25 at his home in Lee’s Summit.
Gene was raised in Harrisonville, attending both elementary and high schools there. After graduation in 1965, he headed to Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, but decided after one year that a degree in accounting was not his desired career path.
He returned to Harrisonville and worked for his dad running large equipment. This became his passion and he ran large equipment for the remainder of his career.
Gene served his country during a two-year stint in the Army, completing the majority of his service in Germany. He enjoyed the time stationed in that country while observing a different culture and traveling to other countries.
In 1980, Gene married Linda Bradley. They began married life in Independence, but eventually settled in Lee’s Summit. They were blessed with three daughters, Erin, Amanda and Leah.
Gene loved his girls and as expected, he enjoyed having them nearby when he was working around home or repairing equipment. Each of his daughters learned from her time spent with Gene and can now use tools to complete her own home projects.
Gene was known for keeping his vehicles and equipment im- maculate and well maintained. It was not uncommon to find Gene at a carwash at midnight cleaning his truck for the next day. Even his 10-year-old lawnmower looks brand new. And Gene always enjoyed a cold RC Cola after a long day of work.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Virgil Lunceford; his brother, Howard; and his adored pug, Buster.
He is survived by Linda of the home; his daughters and sons-in-law Erin Knox, Amanda and Matt Dial and Leah and Hiethm Ishkuntana; his beloved grandchildren, Dayton, Dallon, Isabella, Ethan, Mason, Mazin, Alyssa, Cairo and Zayden; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Jackie Bradley and Bonnie and David Staley; and his nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Per Gene’s request, we will not have a funeral or memorial service for anyone other than our immediate family, but please remember Gene as you go about your daily lives.
Ronnie “Ron” Loren Legendre
Sept. 8, 1942 – April 27, 2022
Ronnie “Ron” Loren Legendre, 79, Clinton, died peacefully April 27 at Clinton Health Care, Clinton.
Ron was born Sept. 8, 1942, the son of the late John Blanchett Legendre and Mary Elizabeth Friesz of Kansas City. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by siblings John William Legendre, Michael Jolliffe, Johnny Legendre, Dean Legendre, Sharon Miller, Linda Davis, Jimmy McCullough and David Jolliffe and his grandson, Isaac Porter.
Ron graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 1960 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Following his time in the service, he worked as an ironworker in downtown Kansas City and in construction and carpentry.
He obtained his associates degree from the Metropolitan Community College. His amazing mathematical mind and hard work ethic brought him success in many ways. He was a Master Builder and Craftsman. He designed and created the blue prints for eight homes that he built. Ron was a recruiter for the Army National Guard and was a machinery maintenance worker retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 2005.
In 1963, Ron married his beloved wife, Beverly “Bev” Sharon Carney in Peculiar and they shared 58 wonderful years of marriage. Their relationship was a true testament of love and commitment. Together they raised three daughters in Raymore, Peculiar and Harrisonville, retiring to Warsaw and Clinton. Ron built the family home in Peculiar that still holds precious memories as Timber Lodge Farm.
Ron had tremendous faith and was known for his very moving and powerful words at Thanksgiving dinners and in general conversations about life. Ron was an amazing dad to his girls and fiercely loved and protected them. They were the light of his life and he had a very special relationship with each of them.
Ron enjoyed scrimshawing, carpentry work, reading about and collecting guns and watching his grandkids play sports. He was a life-long learner and enjoyed designing and working on many projects. He loved the outdoors and watching wildlife out their windows. He especially loved spending time with his wife and family.
He will be deeply missed by so many.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Bev Legendre, Clinton; three daughters, Brenda (Gerard) Porter, Warsaw, Becky (Don) Pflumm, Overland Park, Kansas, and Amy (John) Crowley, Harrisonville; 13 grandchildren, Mikaela, Kassidy, Grady, Whitney, Allison, Camille, Jillian, Brielle, Ellaina, Keith, Karlie, Jackson and Carson; and nine great-grandchildren, Eva, Walter, George, Rosalene, Waylon, Ophelia, Frederick, Evelyn and Avery.
He is also survived by his, brother, Victor (Pat) Legendre, Raytown; sisters, Elaine (Harold) Yungeberg, Shawnee, Kansas, Suzanne Hendrickson, Kansas City, and Sharon Houchen, Kansas City; siblings, Kenny Jolliffe, Kansas City, and Belva (Dennis) Geising, Lee’s Summit; as well as several nephews and nieces.
Memorial services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., May 7, at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare Hospice Services, 725 E. Ohio St., Clinton, MO 64735 or to The Salvation Army – Kansas & Western MO Division, P.O. Box 414077, Kansas City, MO
64141.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
