Craig Ward Elmore

1947 - 2024

Craig Ward Elmore

September 30, 2024

Leawood, Kansas -

Craig Ward Elmore, 77, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Craig was born on March 7, 1947, in Queens, New York to Edward and Colleen Ward Elmore. A native New Yorker, Craig graduated from the prestigious and highly selective Brooklyn Technical High School in 1965. He earned selection to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland after being nominated by the mayor of New York. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science. He earned his M.B.A. from the University of Missouri in Kansas City in 1982. He served in the United States Navy from 1969 until 1973 when he was honorably discharged.

Affectionately known as "Duke" by his fellow Midshipmen, Craig was the ringleader among his friends from the Naval Academy, regularly organizing trips and events until the end. He brought enthusiasm, organization, and a sense of humor to all he did. You knew when Craig was on your side and you wanted him there.

When Craig committed to a goal, he pursued it with relentless energy. Whether starting his own business in the 1980s, taking up golf in the 1990s, or completing the Kansas City Marathon in 2010, he challenged himself and expected to succeed. He almost always did.

Craig was passionate about many things. He celebrated his birthday every year at his favorite restaurant, Strouds. He was a familiar face at several local establishments, notably Kelly's in Westport. Craig was an avid sports fan and cheered for his favorite teams, particularly the Navy Midshipmen and New York Yankees.

He instilled in his family a love for Long Beach Island in New Jersey where he first went on vacations with his parents, brother, and cousins in the 1960s. His children, grandchildren, and niece and nephew continue the family tradition of visiting Surf City on LBI.

Craig was a music aficionado, an enthusiasm he shared with his brother. He amassed large collections of vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and eventually digital files. He was a walking encyclopedia of music history, able to recall and discuss songs, albums, and artists from different genres and eras throughout his life. He enjoyed live music events, especially when one of his favorite artists, like Dion, performed.

Craig lived to celebrate life. He was always planning a trip or attending an event, especially if it involved any of his six children or sixteen grandchildren. If one was playing, performing, graduating, or celebrating, he was in the audience cheering them on.

Craig loved his family more than life itself. He adored his children and grandchildren. If his family needed him to be somewhere, he was there. When someone in his family was hurting, he could not hide how much he was hurting too. When someone from his family succeeded, he was the first to congratulate and celebrate. His kindness, generosity, tender heart, and steadfast support will be forever remembered by those who knew and loved him.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Colleen, his brother Neil Edward Elmore, his ex-wife, Christine Metzler Elmore, and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann "Ellie" Ferguson.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Wheeler Elmore, his six children, Jamie Edward Elmore (Kelly Renee Elmore), Christopher Patrick Elmore, Emilie Anne Elmore, David Thomas Elmore (Amy Christine Long), Jennifer Elizabeth Elmore, and Erin Ann Elmore Bessler (Joseph Eduard Bessler), and his 16 grandchildren, Cole Patrick Long, Lauren Elizabeth Long, Christian Thomas Elmore, Taylor Christine Elmore, Anna Christine Elmore, Hailie Nichole Elmore, Payne Alexander Ferguson, Emilie Rose Elmore, Christopher Ryder Ferguson, Kathyrn Christine Elmore, Laykyn Thomas Ferguson, Hudson Edward Bessler, Chase Henry Bessler, Remy Ann Bessler, and Reese Elizabeth Bessler, as well as his sister-in-law Cindy Elmore, niece Natalie Elmore (Ryan Cottrell), nephew Neil E. Elmore Jr. (Jennifer Elmore), daughter-in-law Jennie Carmody, his sister and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial donations in Craig's memory may be directed to Infant Loss Resources of Missouri (https://www.infantlossresources.org/) or the Naval Academy Foundation (https://navalacademychallenge.com/pages/usna-home).

A Rosary will be prayed 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 7, 2024 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, with a visitation to follow from 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th Street, Leawood, KS 66209; burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.