Obituaries and Memorials
The Memorial Committee acts to commemorate the passing of a Native Son or Daughter. Each decedent is specially announced to the membership with a silent pause in our dealings, and their respective names are placed in our Archives, with condolences to their family for their community service and their service to Native Sons and Daughters. We recognize our past presidents with an acknowledgement to their particular charity or cause.
We wish to recognize the passing of the following members in 2011:
Dr. Pat Barelli
Art Bowen
Pat Hughes
Art Bowen
The first thought that comes to mind when one remembers Arthur H. (Art) Bowen, Jr., is that he was the consummate gentleman. Bowen died May 31st at the age of 99, just six weeks short of his 100th birthday.
Bowen grew up in Kansas City, Mo., and then graduated from the University of Kansas in 1931. He began practicing accounting in 1932 and attained his CPA certification in 1934. He soon became the Managing Partner of Kansas City office of Arthur Young & Co. Art held numerous leadership positions in CPA Societies in Kansas, Missouri and Nationally.
He was president of the NSDKC in 1982, served 25-years as Treasurer of the Board of Children's Mercy Hospital and 18-years as a Director of the Millbank Manufacturing Co. He was a Trustee of the Cowden Foundation, and served on the Boards of the Ina Calkins Fund, Starlight Theater and the Conservatory of Music.
Bowen was a member of the Ararat Shrine, the Royal Order of the Jesters and retired from the Navy at the end of World War II as a Lt. Commander. He was a member of Country Club Christian Church and had been resident at Claridge Court since his wife died 11 years ago. He is survived by two sons who live out of town.
For many years, Bowen had generously hosted the NSDKC Past-President's Luncheon at the River Club, 8th and Jefferson, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Several years ago, those in the club at that time named the annual November luncheon the "Art Bowen Past-President's Club". Bowen graciously accepted the honor.
Art was in generally good health until near the end. After attending what was to be his last luncheon, at age 97, he was followed south from the Club on I-35
driving 60 mph. He once attributed his health and longevity to regular visits to the exercise room at Claridge Court. Mr. Bowen is an excellent role model for a productive life well-lived.
Joe Vaughan, Native Sons and Daughters historian
Pat Hughes
As Native Sons President and Social Program Chairman, Pat Hughes used his
knowledge of Kansas City and its people to plan and execute many memorable events. He
added vitality and verve to the Native Sons with his personality and
sense of humor, which attracted and kept members. He was loyal to his friends
and looked out for them. He was the life of many meetings and events and he truly enjoyed this role. He loved to sing and play the
guitar. He was a very social guy.
When our longtime executive secretary had to resign, Pat got his wife Susie involved; and she eventually took over that role.
Pat loved all things Irish. He was a member of the Hibernians, and worked on
the St. Patrick's Day parades for years, and was recognized as a Grand Marshal.
Pat Hughes was also a plugged-in guy. He was the longtime committeeman for the
6th Ward. When we needed something from the city or county, he knew who to
call.
He is a person we will miss greatly.
John Mura, Native Sons and Daughters member
Patrick List Hughes, 69, of Kansas City, MO, passed away June 15, 2011, at
home. Pat was born to Frank and Catherine (Kilty) Hughes on
July 25, 1941, and attended Visitation School, Rockhurst High School, and
Regis College. Pat lived a full and active life. He had a long career in
insurance most notably 25 years with Cretcher, Lynch & Company. He loved
Kansas City, the Democratic Party, the Kansas City Rugby Club, and all things
Irish. He was the 6th Ward Committee member for 35 years and organized
numerous St. Patrick's Day Parades (his nickname "The Boss"), serving as Grand
Marshal for the Kansas City and Brookside parades. He was an active member of
The Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City, Ancient Order of Hibernians,
Visiting Nurses Association, American Royal, and he was the first president of
the Kansas City Club's 1212 Club. His warmth, boisterous humor, and stories
for any occasion will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him.
Pat is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan, his two children, Allison and
Ted, of whom he was so proud, and his siblings, Michael Hughes (Dana), Cathy
Marx (John), and Sheila Weiford (Tom).
Kansas City Star, June 19, 2011
(from the Kansas City Star, July 14, 2009)
Former member of the Board of Directors of the Native Sons and Daughters Bill Norton:
NORTON, P.E. Bill Norton, P.E., age 77, of Kansas City, MO, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly on July 11, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday July 16, 2009 at Gashland Presbyterian Church, 81st and North Oak Trafficway in Kansas City North, with burial following in Mount Moriah Terrace Park Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday evening July 15, 2009 at the church from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family suggests contributions to the Children's Ministries at Gashland Presbyterian Church or Heartland Habitat for Humanity.
Bill was born December 17, 1931 in Strasburg MO. Later the family moved to Pleasant Hill, MO. He was one of eight children born to Frank Samuel and Willard Josephine Norton. He graduated from Pleasant Hill High School and, after working as a seaman in the United States Merchant Marine, he served with the 7th infantry division the U.S. Army in Korea, Bill graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, in 1958.
While students, Bill and Rosemary Thornton, of Peoria were married on December 28, 1957. Following graduation they moved to Kansas City, MO. He attended Finley College of Engineering while working for Marshall and Brown, Architects and Engineers for seven years. In 1967 he founded the engineering firm, Willard S. Norton, Consulting Engineer, later to become Norton and Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc., and opened another office Norton, Schmidt and Warden in Atlanta, GA, in 1978.
Upon retiring in 1996, he sold both firms to his partners, but has continued to serve his clients in the Kansas City area up until his passing. During his engineering career, he was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, and was registered as a Structural Engineer in the States of MO, KS, FL, WI, OH, and NE.
Bill enjoyed his family, friends, clients, and the people with whom he came in contact each day in his profession. There were many lives touched and changed by his encouragement, generosity, and sharing of his faith. Bill was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, Pi Kappa Alpha, CBMC and the Bradley University Alumni Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Native Sons of Kansas City, the Clay- Platte YMCA, Sentinel Federal Loan Association, and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Oakwood. He had been a member of Gashland Presbyterian Church since 1960, having served as an ordained Elder, on the Board of Trustees, and the Session.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Helen Norton and Frances Thurman, and brother Robert Norton. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rosemary, his son, Craig and wife, Sarah, of Minnetonka, MN; his daughter Alissa and husband Kent Hermes, of Kansas City North; grandchildren Andrew Norton, Alex Norton, Elizabeth Hermes, and Emily Hermes; a brother, Frank Norton, of Santa Ana, CA; sisters, Inez Fredrickson, Harrisonville, MO, Eleanor Groll, Greenwood, MO, Louise Koerber, Kansas City North, MO; and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends. Arrangements: Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th Street, KCMO 64155, 816-734-5500.
Lee Pickering, 2nd Vice-President, Communications Secretary, and Community Service Project chair for the Alexander Majors Home, died suddenly on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Lee helped spearhead many initiatives for the Native Sons and Daughters and we will miss him.
We also wish to recognize the deaths of these members in 2009:
Katherine Berrey
We wish to recognize the passing of the following members in 2008:
Harold Sanders, Jr., John C. Dodds, Ray Davis, Gordon Robertson, Barney McCray, Fanny Yarbero, John Kopp, past President Charles Waldron, Gordon Robertson, and Bob Kilker.