Richard L. Stansell

Richard L. Stansell, 79, of Independence, Missouri, passed away March 11, 2014 at Carmel Hills in Independence, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ararat Shrine Telemedicine Unit, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64129.

Richard was born March 2, 1935 in Centralia, Kansas, to James M. Stansell and Hulda E. Stansell (nee Erickson), and grew up in Nemaha County, Kansas. His family moved to Seneca, Kansas, where he graduated from Seneca High School in 1953. Richard came to Kansas City, Missouri, the day after he graduated high school to make his fortune in the big city. He had joined the Kansas National Guard at 17, and had attended training camps yearly. Richard was called to active duty in 1955; he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, Ft. Dix, New Jersey, Ft. Lewis, Washington, and Ft. Greeley, Alaska—the longest of which was at Ft. Greeley from 1956 to 1957. He served on the Arctic Test Board during development of the Extreme Cold Weather Systems—testing equipment, weapons, vehicles, and clothing—including the “Mickey Mouse” bunny boot, now a staple of Alaska bush life. Richard drove trucks and was a howitzer operator. He was proud of his service as an Alaskan “pioneer” in territorial days.

Richard lived and worked in Denver, Colorado, after honorable discharge, with his sister and her husband, Marlys and Lambert Boeding. Richard returned to Kansas City in 1958. During his early years, he worked at General Motors Aviation, Sheffield Steel, P.I.E., Braniff, and drove cabs and dump trucks. He was hired by Bendix in 1959 and began a 40-year career as a machinist and precision tool inspector. Richard worked through all of the AEC contractors: Bendix, Allied, Allied Signal, and Honeywell. He retired from the plant in 2000.

Richard married Frances (Carrie) C. Shinn in 1959. He built his home in Independence in 1965. They had three children: Richard II, Lucinda, and Walter. They were divorced in 1973. Richard later married Pat Stansell (nee Corson), whom he spent 22 years with; they made their home in Sugar Creek for many years. Together they were active in many Shrine activities: transporting children to hospital in St. Louis, steak and fish fries, Shrine Patrol, Sandbuggies, many Shrine clubs, and appearing as Santa and Mrs. Claus for disabled children, private appearances, and at the temple party.

Richard was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Independence Lodge 76, the Scottish Rite, and Ararat Shrine, serving as Potentate’s Aide in 1995, 1997 and 1998. He was past president of the Jackson County Shrine Club and a member of the I.A. of M., Lodge 314. He was a member of American Legion Post 21. Richard had been active in Scouting, servicing as a neighborhood commissioner and was an honorary warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He enjoyed travelling, motorcycling, dancing, listening to music, cooking outdoors and woodworking.

Richard was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. He had multiple surgeries and treatments and was in remission. He struggled the last seven years and his life with neurological problems due to encephalitis and traumatic brain injuries. The family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice and Carmel Hills for their help at the end of Richard’s life.

Richard is preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters Velma Hulsing and husband Celestine (Sally) Hulsing of Kelly, Kansas, and Marlys Boeding and husband Lambert Boeding of Corning, Kansas; brothers Vincent Stansell of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and James Stansell of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is survived by his sons Richard L. Stansell, II and wife Linda of Independence, Missouri, Walter L. Stansell and wife Judy of Blue Springs, Missouri, and daughter Lucinda and husband James of Higginsville, Missouri; grandchildren Rick Farmer, Robert Stansell, Nicholas Stansell, Margaret Stansell, Grace Stansell, Gabrielle Stansell, Connor Gibson, Seanna Allen, Andrew Haston, Clifton (Danny) Haston, Victoria (ToryBeth) Haston, Rosemary Haston, and Katherine (Katie) Haston; sisters-in-law Helen Stansell of Sioux City, Iowa, and Edie Boadwine of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews.