Alexander Michael Petrovic

Alex M. Petrovic, 92, Sugar Creek, MO, passed away peacefully at the Kansas City Hospice House on June 1, 2015. Rosary is at 9:00 a.m. with Visitation Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Rd, Independence, MO. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. Family and friends are invited. A reception at the church will be held after the burial.

Alex was born September 23, 1922 in Kansas City, MO. His wife and best friend, Frances, of 57 years, preceded him in death as well as nine brothers & sisters. He was the loving father of Frances (Mark) Padow of Leawood, KS, Alex (Peggy) Petrovic Jr. of Prairie Village, KS. Teresa Petrovic (David Aylward) of Washington DC, Christopher Petrovic (Trudy Jonas) of Sugar Creek, MO, Mark Petrovic (Velina) of Petaluma, CA and Anastasia Rock (Eli Reichman) of Bend, OR. He was also the loving grandfather of Erika Padow Martin (Joe), Alex Petrovic III (Dasha), John Petrovic (Kara), Michael Padow (Megan), Henry, Sophie & Magdalene Vick and Amelia & Lydia Petrovic, Christopher Petrovic, Jr., Mary Agnes Petrovic (David Dailey), and Carter Rock. He also leaves behind great grandchildren, Aiden & Jackson Petrovic and Jack Padow; sister-in-law, Anne Petroski and many nieces & nephews.

Alex, the son of Mildred & Michael Petrovic, dedicated his life to his family, his country, state & community. He attended William Chrisman High School & Rockhurst College. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to1945; making maps for the 2nd Marine Air Wing and received an honorable discharge following his service in the South Pacific Theatre. After his military service, he continued his career at Injection Molding Company until 1957. He joined Waddell & Reed in 1957, working as a divisional manager until 1975. At St. Joseph Health Center from 1975 to 1985, as community relations and marketing director, he successfully marketed the Spirit of St. Joseph Life Flight program. Upon retirement, he continued to provide public relations and marketing consulting.

Alex played an active and accomplished role in local Missouri politics. He served as a Missouri State Legislator from 1962 to1966. During his terms, he promoted the Little Blue Valley Flood Control program, fought to keep open Central Missouri State University in the face of closure, and helped develop the Truman Sports Complex. As a State Representative, Alex discovered state records abandoned in the basement of the State Building, and in response, sponsored and passed legislation to create a system for managing Missouri’s records, establishing the Missouri State Archives. He was recognized in 2005, by then Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and members of the Missouri legislature, with the creation of the Alex M. Petrovic Reading Room to maintain Missouri’s historic records. After his terms in the Missouri legislature, he was elected to serve as Eastern District Judge for Jackson County from 1966 to 1970, the same seat President Harry S. Truman occupied before his presidency. As Judge, he oversaw several bond issues in building one of the largest sports complexes at the time, for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Alex was a long time member and past president of the Independence Rotary Club and Sertoma Club. He also served in leadership roles for several organizations including National Conference of Christians and Jews, Catholic Charities, South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Health Center Auxiliary, Marillac Center, Sugar Creek School Board and Kansas City Library Board.

Alex was an avid tennis player and runner. He was a sports enthusiast and never missed watching a KC Royals game. His sense of humor, storytelling mastery, and frequent impersonations were a hallmark of his personality. Alex was a devout Catholic serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Cyril’s and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sugar Creek, MO.

The family suggests donations to Kansas City Hospice, 1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64114. Online condolences to ww.mcgilleysheil.com. Arr: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St., Kansas City, MO 64133, 816-353-6555.