Harry Monroe Taliaferro Jr.
June 27, 1923 - October 22, 2021
Prairie Village, Kansas - H. Monroe Taliaferro, age 98, died 10/22/2021 at Claridge Court in Prairie Village, KS. Memorial services will be Friday, October 29, 2021 at 1 pm at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road Prairie Village, KS. (Live broadcast https://villagepres.org/online)
Monroe was born in Grand Rapids, MI, to Harry Monroe and Mary Williams Taliaferro, the 5th of 5 children. He graduated from Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina. In the Army, Roe served in the 542nd Field Artillery Battalion of the 42nd Rainbow Division 1942 - 1945. The Army sent him to the University of Kansas with the Army Specialist Training Program where he met Helen Hovey, who would become his bride in 1949. He was proud of his Bronze Stars but never talked much about his war experiences. When he returned, he finished his BA in business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He was a life-long fan of Michigan and the KU Jayhawks. Roe earned his JD from University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1952.
He was an attorney for Butler Manufacturing Company for 35 years until his retirement in 1987. Monroe was Vice-President of the BMC Foundation. He served on the Board of Kansas City Association for the Blind. He was an active Rotarian. He held memberships and leadership positions in the KCMO Chamber of Commerce, KC Tomorrow, Coro (a leadership development program designed to build community leaders), Development and Retention Council of Northeast Johnson County (President for 6 years), Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, Westport Allen Center, KC Chapter of the American Red Cross - Chairman, Johnson County Consolidated Fire District #2 (4 years). At Village Presbyterian Church where he was a member from 1954 to present he served as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Shepherd Deacon, Elder, and he served on a pastor search committee. He was adviser to Alphapointe Association for the Blind. Roe served on the Prairie Village City Council 1983 – 1989 and was Mayor of Prairie Village 1989 – 1999. As Mayor, he oversaw the building of the retirement community Claridge Court where he spent his last days, and he preserved the land for The Santa Fe Pavilion at Harmon Park. Recycling in Prairie Village took off in the City while Roe was Mayor. In 2007 the "Prairie Village Community Service Award" was presented to Roe and Helen Taliaferro. The award recognizes those who embody care and compassion, and who work towards bettering their community. The William T. Kemper and Commerce Bancshares foundations awarded a $10,000.00 grant in their name to the Village Church Food Pantry.
His interests included Boy Scouts where he earned his Eagle, supporting KC Chiefs and KC Royals. He was an avid reader, life-long learner, and Master Gardener. He water skied into his 70s and played tennis into his 80's. He served as President of Homestead Country Club. He had a regular jogging route and threw newspapers onto his neighbors' front porches daily. He prided himself on knowing and calling people by name. He perfected grilled chicken and his burgers received rave reviews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his 4 siblings and their spouses and one nephew. Surviving him are: his wife of 72 years Helen Hovey Taliaferro, his 3 daughters and their spouses: Nancy and Marc Cantril, Jo Taliaferro and Chris Bell, Jan and LaMonte Roach; his 5 grandchildren: Grace Cantril, Scott and Emma Cantril, Taylor Cantril, Phillip and Kylie Roach, Denis and Elizabeth Jimenez; 4 great grandsons Alexander, Maxwell, Jaxson and Barax and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to Village Presbyterian Church, (https://www.villagepres.org/tribute-gifts.html).

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Published by Kansas City Star on Oct. 25, 2021.