Gene Wuellner

Born on a family farm outside Stotts City, MO to Paul and Lela Wuellner, he was the oldest of three boys. Perhaps Gene was the only person to play golf with Tom Watson and baseball with Mickey Mantle. Gene was an avid athlete, playing Ban Johnson baseball, competing in three high school sports for Webb City and Carthage, MO, and earning sports scholarships at Ft Scott Community College and Friends University in Wichita.

For nearly two decades, Gene and Cindy enjoyed homes at the Lake of the Ozarks and vacationed at Lido Beach, Sarasota, FL, where they were married by brother and minister Bob Wuellner (dec.) with his wife Lucy. Nothing thrilled Gene more than golf with his beloved brothers Bob and Max Wuellner.

He rose to be the youngest president of the Plaza Savings and Loan, perhaps due to his extraordinary white hair in his twenties. In 1972, he founded Gene Wuellner Construction, building many of the first homes in Hallbrook Farms, the Blue Heron Farm for the legendary Tom Watson, and estates for the Westlakes of hardware fame and the founders of the Harmon Bus Company. Overflowing with creative energy, Gene led Corporate Woods rezoning and developed Grand Oaks and Wellcreek in Johnson County.

In addition to Cindy, his soulmate for 36 years, brother Max and his wife Cheryl Wuellner, and sister-in-law Lucy Wuellner of Toledo OH, and their families, Gene leaves behind his dear children, Kelly (Terry, dec.) Burrows of Fort Scott, KS, and Kent (Vickie) Wuellner, three grandchildren, Kipp (Abriel) Wuellner, Laura Ann (Brian) Bowen, and Kyle (Courtney) Wuellner, and eight perfect great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Kaden, Kameron, Kingston, Effie, and Nash Wuellner, and Caitlin and William Gene Bowen. He also leaves his father- and mother-in-law, Dick and Barbara Henley, brother-in-law Bill Henley, and children. Gene will join his wonderful parents, Paul and Lela Wuellner, brother Bob, son-in-law Terry Burrows, and his amazing niece, Allie Ladd.

For Gene’s last night on earth, the Chiefs sent him off with one more victory over the Denver Broncos as he dreamed of another Super Bowl win.

A celebration will be held on the summer solstice in Gene’s favorite backyard as he drives his John Deere mower into the sunset.

The family asks that donations be sent to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation, 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114 in lieu of flowers.