THADDEUS CHARLES MCCANSE

1919 - 2015

THADDEUS CHARLES MCCANSE Thaddeus Charles McCanse, 96, of Columbia, MO, passed away peacefully on October 7th, 2015. Visitation will be 10AM, Monday, October 12th in Community United Methodist Church, Columbia, MO, followed by the funeral service. Private family internment is in Mt. Vernon, MO. Thad was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 16, 1919, lived on Long Island until 10, and then came to MO, where he has resided since. On August 12, 1950, in St. Louis, MO he married his "child bride," Gertrude Feichtinger, who survives Thad. This August, Trudy and Thad celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their four children. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Mundy; his children and their spouses: Vicki Jones, Betsy Lawrence, Kitty Spencer, and Thad. W. McCanse, 8 grandchildren; 6 great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Thad was the reigning patriarch of his close-knit family. A WWII Veteran, Thad first served in the Missouri National Guard, the Hound Dogs of Aurora, and then in the U.S. Army, posted in the Aleutian Islands. After 5 years of service, Thad attended Missouri University, completing his coursework and Law School in 4 years to graduate in 1949. Thad served as General Consul for Rock Island Railroad in Kansas City, and then was a senior partner in James & McCanse. He was the first Executive Secretary for the Administrators of Kansas City Public Schools. Later, Thad was a partner of Flanigan, McCanse, & Lasley in Carthage, MO, where he also served as attorney for St. John Hospital in Joplin for 9 years. Law and justice were Thad's passions, and he was inducted into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. His defining case was Cruzan v Director, Missouri Dept. of Health, where he was Guardian ad Litem for the defendant; the significant outcome of this case was the creation of Advance Health Directives. Thad practiced law for over 55 years, serving late in his career as the Hearing Officer for the Gaming Commission of MO and on the board of Primarus. Thad was also a proud alumnus of Sigma Chi and in Rotary International. His hobbies included woodcarving, bridge, reading, and tennis into his 90's. Thad was known for his mean left-handed serve, his prominent eyebrows, and his wit. He loved music and would unpredictably burst into song. Thad was a graceful dancer and the life of any party. He had the gift of making people laugh. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Community United Methodist Church, Hospice Compassus of Columbia, or the Missouri University Law School. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com