Gary McFall

Gary McFall passed away on April 17, 2007 of recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer surrounded by his family and loved ones at his home in Lee's Summit, MO. He was very courageous, positive and uplifting throughout this time not only for his family but also for all his co-workers, giving us all great inspiration. Gary was born on December 13, 1953 in Kansas City, MO, the third of seven children born to John and Nina McFall. He was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City, MO area. Gary graduated from Raytown South High School in 1972. After a few years working for the Raytown School District, he started his longtime career with Kansas City Power & Light, just falling short of retirement after 30 years. He began as a "helper" working his way up through the years to a Supervisor in the Substation Department and then as the Transmission Division Safety & Training Coordinator. He was a self-sacrificing individual who had enormous responsibility, taking control without ever bringing attention to himself and remaining behind the scenes. He was a doer who did a great job and had all the attributes that many of us only hope to obtain someday. He was a very special leader to ever-so-many. He was a self-made man and a very good provider for his family. Gary was a lover of the outdoors, spending much of his spare time in his boat on a lake and traveling. He had numerous Harley-Davidson motorcycles throughout his lifetime and even named his devoted dog "Harley." Gary possessed a great sense of humor with his laughter filling a room. We will remember you smiling, proud and strong, and miss you immensely. He touched many people throughout his lifetime and we were truly blessed to have him as a son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. Gary was preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy McFall, the mother of their son, Joseph Garrett McFall. He is survived by his loving wife, Josephine and beloved son Joseph Garrett of the home. He is also survived by stepsons Tom Watson, IV and wife Jennifer of Independence, MO; Jared Watson and wife, Courtney of Revere, MA; Joel Watson of Las Vegas, NV and Joel's sons Devin and Darin. Other survivors include his father, John and wife Martha McFall of Oviedo, FL; mother, Nina McFall of Royersford, PA; brother, John and wife Paige McFall of Atlanta, GA; sister, Loretta and husband Mike Gordon of Leander, TX; sister, Angela and husband Mike Norris of Pleasant Hill, MO; sister, Nina McFall of Royersford, PA; sister, Marcella McFall of Grover Beach, CA; sister, Valerie and husband Joe Mieluchowski of Royersford, PA; and four nieces: Amy Anne Mitchell, Natalie Norris, Stella Blu McFall, and Tallulah Tate McFall. There will be a private interment at the gravesite by Charter Funerals. You are invited to bid Gary farewell in your heart rather than in a memorial service, and to join the entire family for a celebration of his life on June 2, 2007 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Cove at Lakewood clubhouse, 4105 Lake Drive, Lee's Summit, MO. We will have a potluck picnic so bring your memories and a favorite story to share.