Mr. Cecil L. Van Tuyl

After 85 remarkable years including more than 60 years as a successful businessman, a loving husband, and a caring father, Cecil L. Van Tuyl lost his valiant fight against lung cancer on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 in Kansas City, MO. He was born March 2, 1927, and raised on a farm in La Cygne, KS. He joined the Navy in 1945, after which he settled in Kansas City and married Ruby Bridges who would be his wife for 64 years. After WWII, he worked as a welder in the local GM plant, but quickly found his calling, as he would say, "selling cars instead of building them", which eventually led to his first Chevrolet dealership in 1955 in Kansas City, MO. Over the next six decades, "Van" acquired several more new car dealerships and created an award winning brand of dealership development and management. He was no less passionate about hunting, fishing, and family. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings. He is survived by his wife, Ruby; a daughter, Paula Logan; his son, Larry (Pat) Van Tuyl; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held in his honor. His friends and associates will be having a "Celebration of Life" gathering on December 9, 2012 from 1-5PM at Signature Aviation 10 Richards Rd, Kansas City, MO 64116. The family requests Memorial Contributions be sent to Saint Luke's Hospital (Plaza)