Allan "Al" Wilson

Allan (Al), a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed peacefully to his Heavenly home January 22, 2025. A visitation will be held at 10am followed by an 11am funeral service on Saturday, February 1st at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1701 NE 96th street, Kansas City, Missouri with burial to follow at Terrace Park Cemetery, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

Al was born on August 30, 1927 in Eatonia, Canada (Province of Saskatchewan) to Joseph William and Alta Elizabeth (Cochran) Wilson. He and his 4 siblings lost both parents very early in life and thus had a hard childhood. The children were parsed out to different families and therefore unable to live together.

While going to public school in Fort Dodge, Iowa, he began working in a garage as a mechanic with Joe Kraemer. At 18, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War, where he served as an aircraft mechanic, including bomber engines. After leaving the Air Force he returned to Fort Dodge where he worked on Model A and T’s. Playing cards one night he met and later married the love of his life, Lorraine Eilleen Eustace on September 21, 1952. Utilizing his military experience, Al was hired by TWA in 1950 as an aircraft mechanic for .50 per hour, so he moved from Fort Dodge Iowa to Kansas City, Ks. Al drafted the blue prints and built the house he and Lorraine shared for 64 years. At that time, it was the 6th house in the neighborhood, now there are close to 400 homes.

Al had a green thumb and for many years we had a large family garden that we all worked in and enjoyed the fruits of our labor.

Al was a problem solver. He loved digging into things that didn’t work, identifying the problem and making it work. I can remember my mom asking if she was ever going to get a new washing machine, with dad immediately responding, “Is there something wrong with it?” Mom said, “No, I just want a new one.”

Al loved sports, specifically his children and grandchildren’s games, the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas University basketball. The family made several trips around the country watching his son and grandsons play baseball in youth and college.

Perhaps from his childhood struggles he developed an intense desire for family and to help others whenever possible. One very dear neighbor had a car crash causing him to become quadriplegic. Al volunteered his time to completely remodel their basement to support his handicap needs.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine (68 years), his parents Joseph and Alta and his siblings Vivian, Leonard, Earl, and Laura. Iona, a sister, currently lives in Fort Dodge Iowa. He is survived by his daughter Jacqueline Wilson (Joe Gassaway), son Allan (Cathy) Wilson, seven grandchildren Eilleen (Jeremy) Wahl, Lionel (Ashley) Lance, Jeremy (Sheri) Wilson, Warren (Taylor) Lance, Justin (Talitha) Wilson, Dakota (Sarah) Wilson, Jared (Lauren) Wilson and 8 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions should be made to King of Kings Lutheran Church in loving memory of Al Wilson.