Finis Claude Easter, 88, of Independence, MO peacefully passed away Monday, June 29th, 2015 at Kansas City Hospice House from complications of diabetes and renal failure. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2nd at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3rd at Community of Christ E. 39th St. Congregation, Independence, MO.
Finis was born May 14, 1927 as the 10th of 12 children to John William and Edith Frances (Kinney) Easter. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945 and proudly served his country in the Navy during WWII. After the war, Finis attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA and married Frances (Oeser) on December 19, 1947. Together they raised 5 children. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, first in Electrical Engineering from KU School of Engineering and second from Redland University of California for Business Administration. His career in electrical engineering for RCA specialized in Power Supply and Design Review. He was awarded 16 patents over the years and helped to develop the Doppler Weather Radar, integration of the Aegis Missile Cruiser System, and numerous other ground breaking projects. Finis was selected for the “Distinguished Engineering Service Award” from KU and San Fernando Valley’s “Engineering Merit Award.” He was chairman of the S.F.V. of the IEEE and was a Senior Member of Tau Beta Pi an Engineering Honors Society. He was a lay-minister for the Community of Christ Church for over 50 years and served in roles such as Pastor for numerous congregations, Stake High Council, Stake President, District President, Committee Chair, and Head Chaplain of the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple complex in Independence, MO. His love of excellence in family, church and work is being carried on through his children. Finis loved singing and music and could be found participating in choir when time allowed, including the Independence Messiah Choir for several decades. Other hobbies included photography, woodworking, teaching, travel, genealogy, and anthropology. As accomplished as he was, his greatest achievement was the love of his family and his friends.
Survivors include wife Jean (Kissee) Easter of the home; daughter Karin Gurwell (Noll) of Huntington Beach, CA; daughter, Cynthia Easter of Independence, MO; son Mark Easter (Benna) of Lamoni, IA; son, David Easter (Klansee) of San Diego, CA; daughter, Diane Wilson (Gary) of Houston, TX; stepchildren, Jannie Powell (Bob) of Independence; Douglas Firkins of Palm Beach, CA; Darrel Firkins (Gayle) of Independence; and Sarah Stegeman of Lee’s Summit, MO; sister, Ellen Eliason of San Diego, CA; niece, Donna Rae Meyer; thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances in 2002 and ten other siblings. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
Finis was born May 14, 1927 as the 10th of 12 children to John William and Edith Frances (Kinney) Easter. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945 and proudly served his country in the Navy during WWII. After the war, Finis attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA and married Frances (Oeser) on December 19, 1947. Together they raised 5 children. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, first in Electrical Engineering from KU School of Engineering and second from Redland University of California for Business Administration. His career in electrical engineering for RCA specialized in Power Supply and Design Review. He was awarded 16 patents over the years and helped to develop the Doppler Weather Radar, integration of the Aegis Missile Cruiser System, and numerous other ground breaking projects. Finis was selected for the “Distinguished Engineering Service Award” from KU and San Fernando Valley’s “Engineering Merit Award.” He was chairman of the S.F.V. of the IEEE and was a Senior Member of Tau Beta Pi an Engineering Honors Society. He was a lay-minister for the Community of Christ Church for over 50 years and served in roles such as Pastor for numerous congregations, Stake High Council, Stake President, District President, Committee Chair, and Head Chaplain of the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple complex in Independence, MO. His love of excellence in family, church and work is being carried on through his children. Finis loved singing and music and could be found participating in choir when time allowed, including the Independence Messiah Choir for several decades. Other hobbies included photography, woodworking, teaching, travel, genealogy, and anthropology. As accomplished as he was, his greatest achievement was the love of his family and his friends.
Survivors include wife Jean (Kissee) Easter of the home; daughter Karin Gurwell (Noll) of Huntington Beach, CA; daughter, Cynthia Easter of Independence, MO; son Mark Easter (Benna) of Lamoni, IA; son, David Easter (Klansee) of San Diego, CA; daughter, Diane Wilson (Gary) of Houston, TX; stepchildren, Jannie Powell (Bob) of Independence; Douglas Firkins of Palm Beach, CA; Darrel Firkins (Gayle) of Independence; and Sarah Stegeman of Lee’s Summit, MO; sister, Ellen Eliason of San Diego, CA; niece, Donna Rae Meyer; thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances in 2002 and ten other siblings. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
Finis Claude Easter, 88, of Independence, MO peacefully passed away Monday, June 29th, 2015 at Kansas City Hospice House from complications of diabetes and renal failure. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2nd at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3rd at Community of Christ E. 39th St. Congregation, Independence, MO.
Finis was born May 14, 1927 as the 10th of 12 children to John William and Edith Frances (Kinney) Easter. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945 and proudly served his country in the Navy during WWII. After the war, Finis attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA and married Frances (Oeser) on December 19, 1947. Together they raised 5 children. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, first in Electrical Engineering from KU School of Engineering and second from Redland University of California for Business Administration. His career in electrical engineering for RCA specialized in Power Supply and Design Review. He was awarded 16 patents over the years and helped to develop the Doppler Weather Radar, integration of the Aegis Missile Cruiser System, and numerous other ground breaking projects. Finis was selected for the “Distinguished Engineering Service Award” from KU and San Fernando Valley’s “Engineering Merit Award.” He was chairman of the S.F.V. of the IEEE and was a Senior Member of Tau Beta Pi an Engineering Honors Society. He was a lay-minister for the Community of Christ Church for over 50 years and served in roles such as Pastor for numerous congregations, Stake High Council, Stake President, District President, Committee Chair, and Head Chaplain of the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple complex in Independence, MO. His love of excellence in family, church and work is being carried on through his children. Finis loved singing and music and could be found participating in choir when time allowed, including the Independence Messiah Choir for several decades. Other hobbies included photography, woodworking, teaching, travel, genealogy, and anthropology. As accomplished as he was, his greatest achievement was the love of his family and his friends.
Survivors include wife Jean (Kissee) Easter of the home; daughter Karin Gurwell (Noll) of Huntington Beach, CA; daughter, Cynthia Easter of Independence, MO; son Mark Easter (Benna) of Lamoni, IA; son, David Easter (Klansee) of San Diego, CA; daughter, Diane Wilson (Gary) of Houston, TX; stepchildren, Jannie Powell (Bob) of Independence; Douglas Firkins of Palm Beach, CA; Darrel Firkins (Gayle) of Independence; and Sarah Stegeman of Lee’s Summit, MO; sister, Ellen Eliason of San Diego, CA; niece, Donna Rae Meyer; thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances in 2002 and ten other siblings. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
Finis was born May 14, 1927 as the 10th of 12 children to John William and Edith Frances (Kinney) Easter. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945 and proudly served his country in the Navy during WWII. After the war, Finis attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA and married Frances (Oeser) on December 19, 1947. Together they raised 5 children. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, first in Electrical Engineering from KU School of Engineering and second from Redland University of California for Business Administration. His career in electrical engineering for RCA specialized in Power Supply and Design Review. He was awarded 16 patents over the years and helped to develop the Doppler Weather Radar, integration of the Aegis Missile Cruiser System, and numerous other ground breaking projects. Finis was selected for the “Distinguished Engineering Service Award” from KU and San Fernando Valley’s “Engineering Merit Award.” He was chairman of the S.F.V. of the IEEE and was a Senior Member of Tau Beta Pi an Engineering Honors Society. He was a lay-minister for the Community of Christ Church for over 50 years and served in roles such as Pastor for numerous congregations, Stake High Council, Stake President, District President, Committee Chair, and Head Chaplain of the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple complex in Independence, MO. His love of excellence in family, church and work is being carried on through his children. Finis loved singing and music and could be found participating in choir when time allowed, including the Independence Messiah Choir for several decades. Other hobbies included photography, woodworking, teaching, travel, genealogy, and anthropology. As accomplished as he was, his greatest achievement was the love of his family and his friends.
Survivors include wife Jean (Kissee) Easter of the home; daughter Karin Gurwell (Noll) of Huntington Beach, CA; daughter, Cynthia Easter of Independence, MO; son Mark Easter (Benna) of Lamoni, IA; son, David Easter (Klansee) of San Diego, CA; daughter, Diane Wilson (Gary) of Houston, TX; stepchildren, Jannie Powell (Bob) of Independence; Douglas Firkins of Palm Beach, CA; Darrel Firkins (Gayle) of Independence; and Sarah Stegeman of Lee’s Summit, MO; sister, Ellen Eliason of San Diego, CA; niece, Donna Rae Meyer; thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances in 2002 and ten other siblings. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)
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