Arthur E. Needham Jr.

Long-time real estate professional Art Needham of Prairie Village died on November 30th, 2010, of congestive heart failure at the age of 91. Joining the J. C. Nichols Company in the mid-1950s, Art became part of a residential sales staff that successfully promoted new residential developments like Corinth and Kenilworth in Prairie Village. Using hard work, determination and discipline, Art became a prominent producer in the residential department until his retirement in 1982. Art was born in Joplin, Missouri on December 18, 1918 to Arthur and Katherine Needham Sr. and graduated from Joplin High. He married Albertha S. Knoche of Napoleon, Missouri on March 23, 1939; settled in Kansas City and raised a family. Art’s war years were spent in the Navy stationed at Lawrence Naval Air Station in Livermore, California as manager of the ship’s stores service. In the mid-1950s, Art donated time to Boy Scout Troop 105 as the Committee Chairman and was inducted into the Tribe of Mic-o-say as an honorary warrior. Art also found a life-long dedication to service after joining the Prairie Village Lions Club. As with his career at Nichols, Art threw everything into making the club a viable organization by serving as its president and program chairman many times. He also helped connect his customers to the community by recruiting them into joining the Lion’s Club. In this way, many of his customers became life-long friends. Early on, Art and his wife Bert joined Village Presbyterian Church and became faithful supporters in contributing to its dynamic growth and outreach. Art and Bert joined the Mariners Sunday school class and enjoyed the lessons and fellowship. Art also participated in the Men’s club and their monthly meetings. After retirement, Art found fun and friendships with “his group” at the Wednesday evening shared dinner event in Village Church’s parlors; volunteering for Meals-on-wheels; working at Village Church’s food pantry; evenings with friends at the American Legion Post 370; Daily walking exercises at Sylvester Powell Community Center; traveling with Fun Time Tours; card playing friends at the Matt Ross Community Center; and weekends at Branson and Table Rock Lake. Art was preceded in death by his wife Albertha; his parents Arthur and Katherine Needham Sr. and his three siblings; Beatrice Reading, Herbert Needham and Jack Needham. Art leaves his son and wife Phil and Becky Needham of Prairie Village and their three sons Ryan Needham of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Kale Needham and his wife Ana and son Luis Arthur of Baton Rouge, La. and Evan Needham of Prairie Village. He also leaves his daughter and husband Janean and John Grogan of Lenexa and son Joel Kershner of Olathe along with daughters Michelle Morrison of Overland Park and Jennifer Morrison who is currently serving in the Army. Art also leaves his sister-in-law Ruth Bryan of Blue Springs and nieces Patricia Nineman of Blue Springs, Alice Willey of Blue Springs, Sharron Harrington of Salado, Texas, Nancy Anderson of Sherman, Texas, Connie Cowdin of Dallas, Texas along with nephew Chuck Reading of Phoenix, Arizona. Flowers may be sent to the Village Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be given to the church in Art’s name. Memorial services are on Monday, December 5, starting with a private internment and followed by a memorial service at the Village Presbyterian church at 2:00 pm with a reception following at the church. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.