Kevin Gray

As I no longer live in KC I just today learned of Kevin's passing.

My band played his wedding and he was a great fan/friend of all my projects. I'll never forget the many memories Kevin afforded me at Royals games.

He will be missed. My condolences go out to his family.

So long, my friend.

Please accept my condolences with regard to the passing of Kevin Gray.

Sincerely,

James C. Wirken

25 June 2011

Katy & Family,

Our hearts and love go out to you during this very difficult time. Upon Colleen's return from KC, she and I discussed the services and celebration of Kevin's life. You can be assured that Kevin will not be forgotten and the Hickey family will always keep Kevin in our prayers and our unwavering friendship and love will always be with you.
I consider myself very fortunate to have known Kevin. He was wonderful and deeply sincere and passionate man who was always positive and engaging. What I remember most of all, was that his word was his bond and his handshake meant agreement!
Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to read the many articles and/or watch a couple of news segments about Kevin. It is apparent that Kevin had a positive impact on thousands of people, he kept sports alive and well in the town he so deeply loved, and as a man of incredible character it is clear that his top priority was family and deep his love for you and the girls.
May Kevin experience everlasting life and May God Bless and Comfort You and the Girls!
As a fellow Irishman, it is with tradition that I'd like to share the following "Ode to an Irishman" in loving memory of Kevin;
Ode to an Irishman - What shall I say about and Irishman? The utterly impractical, never predictable, sometime quite inexplicable. Irishman? He is a strange blend of shyness, pride and conceit And He has a stubborn refusal to bow in defeat. He's spoiling and ready to argue and fight, yet the smile of a child fills him with delight. His eyes are the quickest to well up with tears, yet his strength is the strongest to banish your fears. His hate is a fierce as his devotion is grand, and there is no middle ground on which he will stand. He's wild and he's gentle, he's good and he's bad. He's proud and he's humble, he's happy and sad. He's in love with the ocean, the earth and the skies. He's enamored with beauty wherever it lies. He's victor and victim, a star and a clod. But mostly he's Irish …. In love with his God! Author Unknown

Ken & Colleen Hickey (BC '85)

Katy and family,

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I have read over the years of all the successes Kevin had around the KC area. What great memories to share and carry for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless you and your family.

Liz Burke-Lentz '85 BC

I will never think of my grade school years at STM without thinking of Kevin. He was a leader and a friend. I'll miss you Pal.

We are very sorry for your loss of Kevin. He was a super person and family member of ours. God be with all of the family. Terry J. & Frieda Clark Villach Austria

To Katy and the Girls, Our sincere condolences to you for your great loss. My brothers, Brian and Mike, were classmates of Kevin's and best friends throughout those special years at the Rock. I will never forget all those great times at the Wolff house with Kevin and the boys from the Rock. Like when my brother Mike went off to Oregon to go to college and Kevin went up to my mother, all red eyed and nervous about Mike's departure, put his arm around her and said, "Don't worry Mrs. Wolff, he'll be okay", and gave her a hug. A small example of the man he was to become. Though we had not seen or spoken to Kevin for years, he was always in our thoughts. He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed. God's blessing to all of you. The Wolff Family

My sympathy to Kevin's family. I coached Kevin in Grade School Football and every time I saw him over the past 30-40 years he always greeted me "Hi Coach Hamilton"...He was a great leader to our sporting community and a wonderful civic leader....
John Hamilton, Leawood, Kansas

Our sympathies and prayers to the family of Kevin. He was a friend, a leader and a great person. He will be missed, but his impact will be felt forever.

Jeff and Laurie Bollig

From the Lee's Summit North soccer family: Kevin did great things for the game we love. Our deepest condolences.

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Kevin. Katy, you are in our thoughts and prayers as well as your daughters.
Ed and Lisa Letourneau (BC Class of 85)

Very sorry for the loss of Kevin. It was nice to meet him at the Cartmill Family Dinner in Trenton Missouri. I liked to read about him in the newspapers and see him and tv. God bless the family. Cousin Forrest "Toppy" Clark

I will always remember KG's great spirit, laugh and energy. He always had words of encouragement for me during some tough times at BC. I consider myself lucky to have known Kevin and will cherish his memory forever. Onward and upward my friend.

While I had not seen Kevin for many, many years--the impression he left --was that he was engaged and interested in the person before him. May you find solace and re-assurance that his reach and presence left a positive and lasting impression. God Bless you.

Kevin's smile and kind words will be missed. I'm very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you at this time.

I am very saddened to hear that Kevin has passed after his battle with cancer. I just remember the handsome, outgoing, smiling & generous guy that was so full of life & enthusiasm. My condolences to Katy, the girls & all of the extended family. May you find some peace in knowing that Kevin did light up the world , and he will continue to shine that light for all of you to continue on. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you.

Katy,
I was an early convert to Kevin when we started working on hosting the first of three national USA Volleyball Championships and four AVCA National Collegiate Championships and now three ShowMe National Volleyball Qualifiers. We had a great time together promoting Kansas City and volleyball. Kevin was one of a kind and will be impossible to replace for his tireless efforts promote all sports in Kansas City.
He will have a special place in my heart forever.

Hank & Heart of America Volleyball

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family, Katy. We have fond memories of our time with Kevin at BC and are saddened at the loss of a fellow Raven. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him.
Geoff '81 and Jeanne '83 ("Spaz" Galliart) Gawdun

Katy and family,
My husband and I met Kevin at Benedictine College long ago. Kevin was such a personable man, and he truly lit up a room when he entered. No matter how many people he knew, or how many organizations he was involved with, Kevin always enthusiastically greeted everyone and made each person feel special.
Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Your Husband/Dad made this world a better place.

Sincerely,

Kevin - It was always wonderful to find your friendly face in a business class at B.C.. And, it has been a real pleasure to follow your career over the years. After hearing about you on the radio or reading an announcement in the paper, I took pride in sharing your latest accomplishment to family and friends, always adding "I went to school with Kevin!". You are leaving a wonderful legacy, but you were taken from us years too soon. Condolencies from my family to Katy and your daughters. We will pray for all of you.

Katy, Condolences to you and your family. I will always remember Kevin from college, particularly as he was sports editor of our college paper, and how he generously made room on his writing staff for me as a freshman who had much more ambition than talent. God bless you.

Katy and Family,
Kevin was a bright light and an endless resource of enthusiasm and connection for many from Benedictine College.
Our prayers are with you along with a hope that his positive spirit will help you deal with his loss.
May God Bless,
Rick Strecker
BC 1980

Katy & girls, we were so saddened to hear the news of Kevin. Our memories are of his warmth & kindness to newcomers at STM. Praying for you all and for your peace of heart. With our deepest sympathy, David, Leslie, Shane & Kaiha Harris (Pretoria, South Africa)

Katy,
Kansas City lost a great ambassador, you and your family lost a great husband, father and son. You know he is looking down on all of you.
Prayers and thoughts are with you.

Sincerely,

Jasper J. Mirabile Jr.

Kevin's energy and enthusiasm always made it fun to be around him. KC owes him much for his tireless championing of his hometown. He stayed loyal to the institutions he came up through and believed in like Rockhurst High and Benedictine College. He was one of the good ones and will be missed. Katy, our prayers and support are with you and your girls. Mark and Mary Ann Lazzo

Katy ~

While I haven't seen you too much since Benedictine, I've happily enjoyed reading and hearing about Kevin and your amazing successes in our city. My goodness Kevin accomplished a lot in a short amount of time!!

You certainly married a man of integrity - rich with wisdom and faith. My heart is broken for you and the girls .. . and while words seem so very empty at this time . . I just had to acknowledge Kevin's passing and express my deepest sympathy to you and the family. My prayers are with you and for the repose of Kevin's soul.

Patty (Kearney) Elder

Katy & girls,
Please know that you are in our prayers, asking God to give you comfort, peace & love during this sorrowful time. You have our sincere condolences.
Jim, Eileen, Amanda & Alyssa McKee

Katy, I am so very, very sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my prayers.

In my last meeting with Kevin, just three weeks before it was discovered he was ill, Kevin spent 90% of the meeting telling me how proud he was of his daughters. Truthfully, I am still unclear as to why Kevin scheduled this business meeting but when he left, I was definately clear that he loved his family. My Deepest Sympathy.
KSHB-TV, NBC
Director of Sales
Rockhurst High Class of '80

Katy - it was so wonderful to read these stories about Kevin. I always left family functions thinking Kevin was the 'quiet' one. But then, I spent those times enjoying the dynamic Befort women - a force all their own! What a great clan. Kevin's light will no doubt continue to shine through you and your precious girls. Know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you in the months to come.
Love to all, especially you & GMa!!
Marsha Befort

To all who knew Kevin

Kevin's spirit and enthusiasm will live forever. I will always remember his eyes that accompanied that wonderful smile that was so genuine. His love for his family was part of his shining armor. He set an example as a Husband and a Father that was second to none. The impression he left on this world makes it a better place. We will all miss him. May God Bless and keep him.

Katy and girls: Our love and sympathies to you. Kevin was a wonderful person and a dear friend. I know it makes no sense that God would take him so early in a life lived so well. May you find strength in God's grace and compassion and the lessons and memories you all created together. Let us know how we can be of assistance in whatever needs you may have. All our love, Tom, Kathy, Chris, Lauren and Caroline Busch