Jon Stephen Knapp

Jon Stephen Knapp, 80, went home to be with his Savior on September 27, 2024.
Jon was born on May 14, 1944 in Middletown Ohio to Earle and Dorothy Knapp. Jon was the 4th of 6 children, with older brothers Ed, Tom, Larry (Dutch), and younger sister Melanie and brother Greg.
When Earle took an engineering job at Armco Steel in 1951, their family relocated to Kansas City, MO. Jon attended Raytown schools and graduated from Raytown High School in 1963.
After high school, Jon attended 2 years at Kansas City Junior College and Finley Engineering College.
In 1965, Jon accepted a job as a draftsman at Construction Products, a division of Armco Steel. He progressed to roles later, leading the estimating and sales departments. As Armco closed its Kansas City operations, Jon moved to Sheffield Steel, then Gates City Steel, broadening his industry connections. This positioned him to launch a new Kansas City office for Ambassador Steel from Indiana. Over the next 20 years, Jon built the Ambassador Steel Kansas City operations to a team with over 30 employees and served as the sales manager. Jon retired in 2013, after 47 years in the steel reinforcing business.
In May 1965, Jon married his high school sweetheart Connie Clinger. They had 2 children from their marriage, Jon (Kevin) in September 1966 and Laura in February 1970.
At the age of 16, Jon decided to follow Christ at a church youth service. Jon grew in his faith and was a very active member at Connection Point Church, serving in numerous capacities including Deacon and Security Team. Jon loved to serve and encourage others, and always brought both practical help and smiles to those in need.
Jon grew to become a skilled craftsman and could manage almost any manner of remodeling or construction project. He built a home for his family on Hunter Terrace in Raytown, and a second home later on Lookout Drive in South Kansas City. Earle, his father owned a small Lake of the Ozarks cabin, where Jon and his family spent countless years and weekends enjoying a healthy blend of work and play.
When Kevin was in elementary school, Jon coached his little league football and baseball teams, helping boys learn from the comradery of team sports. He was president of Kevin and Laura's school PTA, helped lead their annual school carnival, and was awarded a lifetime member award. Jon also enjoyed riding dirt bikes with neighbors and work friends.
Throughout his life, Jon enjoyed bringing fun, light, and a common sense approach to challenging situations. He would often share corny comments, jokes and regularly played clever pranks.
Jon's 5 granddaughters, Jeanne-Marie, Ashton, Ali, Lucy, and Macie, knew him as "Beep" and he was tremendously proud of each of them. He enjoyed playing dress up and dolls when they were little, taking them for ice cream, and cheering for their success at endless sports, dance, music, art, etc. activities as they grew older.
Jon is survived by his wife Connie of 59 years; son Kevin (Marlo), daughter Laura Miller. Grandchildren are Jeanne-Marie Knapp, Lucy Bird (Cole), Ashton Skopec (Kyle), Ali and Macie Miller. Great-grandsons are Shepard Skopec and Theo Bird. Brothers Tom and Dutch Knapp and sister Melanie Larson and many nieces and nephews.
Jon's life was neither rich nor poor in material wealth, but it was rich in hard work, family dedication, Christian service, satisfaction in simple things, with fun and laughter at every opportunity.
The family is having a private burial service at Elm Springs Church Cemetery.