Charles Willard Stratford

He was truly one of the sweetest men to have ever drawn a breath. Known for the strongest hand shakes and most sincere hugs around and one of the best Home builders in our city.

Chuck built over a thousand homes in the Kansas City area between 1962 and current day. He was still working and remodeling homes full time at the age of 83, up until his cancer diagnosis last May.

He was not your typical 84 year old man. Nothing "typical" about him.

Chuck was born in Billings, Montana and was the baby of 7 children to Harry Haines & Katherine Louise (Denton) Stratford. He lost his Mom at the young age of 7 and was basically raised by his older siblings the first 14 years of his life. He then came to Kansas City in 1952 to live with his older brother, Herb, who co-founded Stratford Engineering Co. It was here that he met the love of his life, Lois Kelly, who became his wife in August 1959. A year later, they had their only child and daughter, Kelly Stratford Herman, married to Jon Herman from St. Joseph MO in September 2008.

Chuck spent the rest of his life spoiling his girls and seeing to it that they had the best of everything and did everything in his power for them. He was so passionate about his homebuilding, his golf game, his occasional fly-fishing trips & other many travels, as well as numerous sporting events, and most of all his life- long friendships and his family. The friendships he and Lois have shared through the years have been truly remarkable and still are. They were part of a group of several families, many of who were neighbors, or in homes Chuck had built in Leawood where they all lived for many years and they all became one big "family" and have continued to gather for dinner at different locations, religiously, every Tuesday night for 50 some years!! They started out as the W.W.B.G. (World Wide Bridge Group) which is so funny because they never actually played much bridge.

They took many trips together, kids and all, to Sanibel Island, FL, and Williamsburg, VA the Lake of the Ozarks, (just to name a few) and then began calling themselves the "Taco Tuesday Group" instead. There were 12 of them at the beginning and the remaining 5 were still meeting every Tuesday still and the 4 members now (all women) fully intend to continue gathering weekly. Chuck so enjoyed being the only man of the group the last few years, but he always missed his other buddies. No group of friends had more fun together, sharing all life's stories and experiences together.

Chuck would do anything for anyone or any animal. He was especially fond of dogs and THEY were always crazy about HIM!!!

He worked as a "Soda Jerk" at the old Bickley's Drug Store located at Somerset and Lee Boulevard which was located at that time to Kroh Brothers Realty where Lois worked as a Secretary and he spotted her going to and from the mailbox everyday and he knew he had to meet her. He went to Shawnee Mission High School (now S.M. North) and Lois went to Southwest High in Missouri. He knew some of her friends so he managed to get set up on a date with her. After 3 years of dating, (and too many stories to mention) they married and Chuck worked at Skelly Oil Co. for several years to save up enough money to start his own home building business, Stratford Building Co., which later became Stratford Homes, Inc. No one has ever loved their profession more than he did. Between his work, time with his family and friends, and his golf games...that was the closest he got to heaven on earth. (Especially at Pebble Beach)!!

He had the brightest twinkle in his eyes, even at the end, and an enormous heart. He was such a "gentle giant", as they say. He was everything a daughter could ask for in a Dad, and an amazing loyal Husband, Son in law, Father in law, Brother, Godfather, Uncle and true friend.

Chuck was a member of the Greater Kansas City Homebuilder's Association for many years and also he and Lois belonged to Leawood Country Club while Kelly was growing up and loved playing tennis for hours and swimming and then they belonged to Indian Hills Country Club once they started playing golf. They were there all the time for years. They both were asked to remodel and redecorate the Clubhouse, which they so enjoyed doing as a team.

Lois has always decorated and helped him with many projects through the years and Kelly picked up the same talent and is still designing for clients, both residential and commercial jobs part time. The Stratfords all love houses, everything about them. Kelly worked as her Dad's Superintendent for 11 years and he taught her everything he knew about the business. It was a very special time in both of their lives.

He also coached Kelly's junior high school football team, the Meadowbrook Mustangs and Lois sponsored the Cheerleaders. Their house was always the kid's favorite hang out spot. They were also referred to as the "cool chaperones" and all of Kelly's friends always enjoyed them and have said how much they inspired them and they so admired their devotion to each other and their friends and family.

One example of Chuck's determination to see to it his "girls" had the best of everything was when Jon & Kelly got married at the Pilgrim Chapel here in town, the hardwood floors up at the altar area were very worn and not in good condition, so without hesitation, he offered to have the floors re-done, repaired, & refinished at his own expense so his little girl's wedding day would be just perfect. He was always doing things like that for those he loved.

He loved so deeply and easily. He could cry at the drop of a hat, but on the outside he was so strong and tough and just a complete "mush" on the inside. Anyone that had the honor of being his friend or family member really loved that trait in him. The phrase, "They sure don't make 'em like that anymore" is an understatement when it comes to describing Chuck Stratford. So do the terms, "old school", "gentle giant" & "honest as the day is long".

Being a Home builder and Contractor really was who he was to the core. He loved his work so much and in his mind, even at the end, he was still out on the job sites working along with his subs and homeowners. He never stopped talking about it all these last many months when he was bed-ridden. We remembered him saying he even loved the smell of the dirt and the earth with every foundation they dug. He was one hour shy of getting a Master's degree in Geology. He always was fond of rocks, fossils & formations and that knowledge helped him when digging the foundations, pouring footings and determining best placement for the structures.

He adored his books and reading. It wasn't unusual for him to read an entire book in a day or two. We had never known anyone that would instantly embrace someone, even a total stranger, or shake their hand with such vigor.

He gave the biggest heartfelt hugs and strongest hand shakes that were memorable to all that he met. Chuck welcomed anyone, regardless of age, sex or race. He had the biggest, fiercest heart that could ever be. It was rare that he didn't care for someone. He was protective of those he loved and wasn't afraid of anything (except snakes). He was never a fan of those! He was tough when he needed to be. He was forgiving and always very fair with others.

Chuck was also kind of a "Dog Whisperer" and all dogs just flocked to him. Lois and Chuck's current dog and best companion, "Buckley" meant the absolute world to him. And Buckley has been by his side, 24/7 the whole time he has been battling this disease. He was one of several that were by his side, caring for him and tending to his every need (the way he had always done for others his entire adult life) and his Caregiver, Judith Raynor (who Chuck liked to call, "Judge Judy") we're not sure why, but she was a great sport and took incredible care of him, especially the last several months and was such a huge help to the family and Cara, his Kansas City Hospice Nurse, was also a delight and Dad fell in love with them both immediately. We all did.

Chuck will be missed by so many, beyond words, and has touched a lot of lives and will never, ever be forgotten. What a gift and a blessing he was!!!