HARRY FREDERICK JUDY

1926 - 2017

HARRY FREDERICK JUDY Harry Frederick Judy of Lee's Summit, MO, passed away December 6, 2017. Born March 9, 1926 to Arthur D. and Emma G. Judy in Toledo, OH, he lived in the Kansas City area since 1960. Harry left high school at age 17 to join the U.S. Navy serving in the Pacific Theater as Motor Machinist Mate aboard LSM-141. His favorite war story was how a tank commander, ferried to the Iwo Jima beach aboard his ship, carried a US flag to be the first US flag raised on Mount Suribachi. He would tell anyone listening that the famous photo of the flag raising, iconic for that battle, was taken only after the first flag, the one from his ship, was being replaced. After the war Harry attended Toledo University, obtaining a business degree and meeting his wife Judith Black. He went to work for Mercantile Stores Company, Inc. starting in Toledo. He advanced in the company, working in Fremont, OH; Terre Haute, IN; and Aiken, SC. He became a store manager first in Shamokin, PA; then Robinson, IL moving to Kansas City to manage The Jones Store on Troost Avenue. He helped design and then managed the newly built store branch at Blue Ridge Mall until he retired. During his free time, he loved to fish and hunt. He taught both his sons how to hunt, only once showering them with buckshot during a quail hunt. He dipped his line in waters from northern Canada to South America, landing lake trout, northern pike, walleye, catfish and bass. One of the first residents in the Lakewood development, he fished every foot of both the first and second lakes. He introduced all his grandchildren (Walter, Emily, Mary Beth, Kyle, Sarah, Josh, Jessica and Justina) to fishing from his pontoon boat at Lakewood. After retirement he also invested great effort to improve his golf game, playing at what became The Lakewood Oaks Country Club, where he was a founding board member. He was a member of the Kansas City Turners, the Kansas City Swiss Society, and a 32nd degree member of the Toledo Masonic Lodge. He was the last member of his generation. His sisters Ruth, Ann, Emma Mae, Irene, and Shirley and brother Arthur (Bud) left this life before him. He is remembered by his children Jeff (Mary) Judy of Lee's Summit, Jennifer (Kenneth) Harrison of Blue Springs, Lawrence (Marion) Judy of Evansville, IN; sweetheart Pat Sipes and her children Kim (Michael) Early, Sheri (James) Guess, and Tim (Traci) Sipes; great grandchildren Maya, Madison, Ainsley, Jordan, Jayden, Charlie, Jacob, Elizabeth, Catie, and Toley; nieces Cathy and Joan, nephews Jackie and David. The family gives special thanks to Bill Williams (Home Instead) caregiver and friend, the staff of Wilshire at Lakewood, and Ascend Hospice. There will be no visitation at this time but the family will hold a celebration of Harry's life in the spring. He will be interred at the National Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. Please consider honoring his memory with donations to the Naval Historical Foundation, or your favorite charity. Arr.: Langsford Funeral Home 115 SW 3rd St. Lee's Summit, MO 64063 (816) 524-3700.