Leroy James Befort, 70, Shawnee, KS, died at his home peacefully with his family by his side on February 7, 2005, after a brave two year battle with cancer.
He was born March 23, 1934, in Hays, KS, to Alois and Katherine Befort.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 12 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shawnee. Burial will be immediately following. Visitation will be held and friends may call from 4-8 p.m. at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where the Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Shawnee CYO athletic fund.
He was an active church member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church for 42 years. After graduating from Bishop Ward High School in 1952, Jim attended Kansas City, KS, Junior College and St. Benedict's College in Atchison, KS, where he played basketball. He was a Captain in the US Marines Corps. Jim was a successful sales representative for Castle Metals, where he worked for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He also owned and operated with his wife, Countryside Statuary and Greenhouse for 38 years, along with a Christmas Tree Farm. He took great pride in the family business surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
He was a CYO youth basketball coach at St. Joseph's Shawnee for 20 years, and served as auction chair for St. Joseph's High School (now St. Thomas Aquinas High School) for 15 years. Jim's many talents included bowling, basketball, and playing softball with his family and friends. He was an avid fan of University of Kansas Basketball, Rockhurst High School athletics, and Benedictine College.
He married his loving wife, Lenora Gillen, on September 7, 1957.
He was a tremendous husband and father. Jim will truly be missed by his family, many
friends, and loved ones.
He is survived by his wife Lenora, of the home, who tirelessly cared for him; four sons, Craig Befort and wife Christy, Aurora, IL, Scott Befort and wife Mary, Kansas City, MO, Jeff Befort and wife Mary Ann, Kansas City, MO, Tim Befort and wife Ellen, Shawnee, KS; daughter Katy and husband Kevin, Kansas City, MO; a very special nephew, Steve Culp and wife Linda, children Randi and Matt; one sister, Luella Dougherty and husband Pat, Shawnee, KS. The pride of his life were his grandchildren, Chris, Nick, Alex, Patrick, Lauren, Rachel, Andrew, Lindsay, Caroline, Peepers, Gillen, Michaela, and Jayden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lavern and Alois, Jr., and sisters Viola, Jane, and Mary Lou.
The family is very grateful to all of the wonderful health care professionals, especially Odyssey Hospice, Dr. Robert Belt and the Kansas City Cancer Center Staff, Dr. Bruce Schwartz and staff, along with St. Luke's Medical Center. Arr. Amos Family Funeral Home, Shawnee, KS.
Kansas City Star, 2/9/2005
Leroy James Befort, 70, Shawnee, KS, died at his home peacefully with his family by his side on February 7, 2005, after a brave two year battle with cancer.
He was born March 23, 1934, in Hays, KS, to Alois and Katherine Befort.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 12 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shawnee. Burial will be immediately following. Visitation will be held and friends may call from 4-8 p.m. at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where the Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Shawnee CYO athletic fund.
He was an active church member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church for 42 years. After graduating from Bishop Ward High School in 1952, Jim attended Kansas City, KS, Junior College and St. Benedict's College in Atchison, KS, where he played basketball. He was a Captain in the US Marines Corps. Jim was a successful sales representative for Castle Metals, where he worked for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He also owned and operated with his wife, Countryside Statuary and Greenhouse for 38 years, along with a Christmas Tree Farm. He took great pride in the family business surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
He was a CYO youth basketball coach at St. Joseph's Shawnee for 20 years, and served as auction chair for St. Joseph's High School (now St. Thomas Aquinas High School) for 15 years. Jim's many talents included bowling, basketball, and playing softball with his family and friends. He was an avid fan of University of Kansas Basketball, Rockhurst High School athletics, and Benedictine College.
He married his loving wife, Lenora Gillen, on September 7, 1957.
He was a tremendous husband and father. Jim will truly be missed by his family, many
friends, and loved ones.
He is survived by his wife Lenora, of the home, who tirelessly cared for him; four sons, Craig Befort and wife Christy, Aurora, IL, Scott Befort and wife Mary, Kansas City, MO, Jeff Befort and wife Mary Ann, Kansas City, MO, Tim Befort and wife Ellen, Shawnee, KS; daughter Katy and husband Kevin, Kansas City, MO; a very special nephew, Steve Culp and wife Linda, children Randi and Matt; one sister, Luella Dougherty and husband Pat, Shawnee, KS. The pride of his life were his grandchildren, Chris, Nick, Alex, Patrick, Lauren, Rachel, Andrew, Lindsay, Caroline, Peepers, Gillen, Michaela, and Jayden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lavern and Alois, Jr., and sisters Viola, Jane, and Mary Lou.
The family is very grateful to all of the wonderful health care professionals, especially Odyssey Hospice, Dr. Robert Belt and the Kansas City Cancer Center Staff, Dr. Bruce Schwartz and staff, along with St. Luke's Medical Center. Arr. Amos Family Funeral Home, Shawnee, KS.
Kansas City Star, 2/9/2005
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