Category: Obituaries

Thomas Baker Williams

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In the early hours of Christmas Eve, 2023, the Williams family lost their beloved patriarch, Thomas Baker Williams. Tom was born on January 7, 1951, to Harold and Elizabeth Williams in Indiana. The proud father of Nathan Luke Williams, Zachary Hamilton Williams, Ian Williams Watt, and Mojo Alexander Watt Williams. Tom endlessly proclaimed himself, “the luckiest dad in the world.” In addition, he is survived by his beloved siblings: sister Betty Welch and brothers Harold Douglas and Edward Michael, as well as his beloved grandchildren: Noah,Isabel, Aubrey, Trent, Emelia, and Elijah. When it came to family, Tom surged with an untamable and indelible love.

Though he has passed on, Tom’s presence remains through his infectious qualities passed on to his family and anyone who had the privilege to truly know him. A wealth of stories, catch- phrases, and memories will echo down the hall of time for generations. A man like this does not go quietly into that good night; he inspired and uplifted those around him with his strength and humor up to his last day.

In keeping with Tom’s wishes there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice or your local Humane Society.

Darlene Myrtle (Votaw) Naff

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Funeral Services for Darlene Myrtle (Votaw) Naff, 92, Lawrence, will be 10 am, Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Southside Church of Christ, 1105 W. 25th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66046, officiated by son-in-law Powell Pendergraft. Visitation will be from 7-8 pm, Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Darlene died December 22, 2023, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.

She was born August 4, 1931, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Milo and Angie Vitt Votaw.

Darlene graduated from Lawrence High School.

She was married to William D. Naff on April 24, 1953. He preceded her in death in 2010.

Mom was generous with those less fortunate and loved to bring those whom she called “old people” to her home, treating them to coffee and conversation.

Survivors include three children; William N. (Buddy) and Cynthia, Berryton, Kansas; Mark A. and Cynthia, of Lawrence; Kim E. Pendergraft and Powell, of Austin, Texas; seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to L.I.N.K. Kitchen, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com

Babak Pakravan

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Memorial services for Babak Pakravan, 32, Lawrence, will be 10 am, Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Southside Church of Christ, 1105 W 25th St, Lawrence, KS 66046.

Babak Pakravan, age 32, died in his home on December 20, 2023, in the presence of his loving mother, Mitra Pakravan.

In a short life complicated by illnesses stemming from his premature birth, Babak accomplished much, adapting and over coming sickness to become a model son who gave himself lovingly and unselfishly to all who met and knew him. His parents, Bahman and Mitra, met at the University of Kansas as students after immigrating from Iran in the late1980s. They soon fell in love and, bolstered by deep friendships between their mothers in Iran, married in Lawrence, Kansas on January 8, 1987. On July 17, 1991, they were blessed with the birth of their only child, Babak. Born prematurely, he spent the first six months of his life on oxygen in the KU Medical Center NICU. From preschool-onward, Babak required intensive, ongoing medical attention, daily parental care and spent much of his time going in and out of doctor’s offices and hospitals. However, he never let illnesses stop him; instead, Babak remained unperturbed and grew resilient, developing amazing abilities to communicate with others as he shared his curiosity, intelligence and humor with children and adults alike. Patterning himself after his father, Babak gained expertise in computers, software and business. Patterning himself after his mother, a specialist in child development, he embraced and was loved by children who looked up to him for his experience and compassion.

Patterning himself after both his parents, who had traveled extensively throughout their lives, Babak inherited the travel gene, visiting Iran for the first of four times at the tender age of three, and later enjoyed trips to California and Florida and had been planning future travels. Over time, he matured and grew into a sophisticated man who read extensively, and who enjoyed collecting rare antique writing pens as much as eating a good meal. Babak studied communications at Washburn University, completing a degree in the field in 2019. He worked at Maximus as a customer service representative for two years before his death, and was highly esteemed by clients and colleagues alike. Everyone loved Babak’s caring and compassionate heart as he patiently guided impoverished clients around health insurance hurdles to get them the vital care they needed.

Babak was preceded in death in 2017 by his father, Bahman Pakravan, and is survived by his mother, Mitra. He is dearly loved and cherished by her and many extended family members in Iran. Austria and in other parts of the globe.

Memorial contributions may be made to the KU Medical Center NICU, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Steven Curtis Kline

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Steven Curtis Kline, 81, passed away in Lawrence, Kansas, on December 17, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melburn Curtis Kline and Emma Lavera Leeburg Kline. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Greeno, two brothers, David Kline and Mark Kline, nieces Jane Serene and Emma Kline Linnemann Lange, and nephew, Niklas Kline Lange Frost. 

Steven was born in Strong City, Kansas, on November 25, 1942. While growing up on the family farm north of Elmdale, he was involved in 4-H and Boy Scouts, and he helped his dad with farming and livestock. He played all sports in school, and pitched in summer baseball. After graduating from Elmdale High School in 1960, he attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, where he met Jan, his lifetime friend. He began working for the Santa Fe Railroad in 1963. He and Jan later moved to Kansas City, though he continued working out of Emporia as a brakeman and conductor. He retired in 1993. 

Though Steven was somewhat quiet and reserved, he had a wide circle of friends stemming from his work, his time in Emporia, and from the Kansas City area. He was a voracious reader of newspapers as well as books, he read the KC Star every day from cover to cover, and kept up with news from his childhood home through the Chase County Leader. He took an interest in all things Kansas City and was broadly knowledgeable about its businesses, architecture, museums, politics, history, restaurants, etc. He was also an avid Kansas City sports fan. Tennis was a special passion of his, for many years he played as often as he could, and knew the ins and outs of the various city courts. He was a sharp dresser, and he took painstaking care of his cars and the lawn and house he lived in, bordering Brush Creek in Fairway. 

Steven will be deeply missed by his family and all others who knew and loved him.



George Earl Taylor

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Born: January 17, 1928 in Lawrence, Kansas
Passed away peacefully on: December 14, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas
Graduated: Kansas University in 1952, and New York University Graduate School in 1958 where he earned his MBA
Married: Meredith A. (Kappelmann) Taylor from White City, Kansas, on May 20, 1953 in Long Branch, New Jersey
Military Service:  Merchant Marines 1945-1948 and United States Army 1952-1953

George is survived by his wife of 70 years, Meredith A. Taylor of Lawrence, KS; brother Herbert E. Taylor of Bennington, VT; daughters Jena Garcia (m. Joshua) of Peru, IL; Abby Silver (m. Gary) of Kittery Point, ME; Kara Taylor (m. Cary Grimm) of Lawrence, KS; Lori Taylor of Illinois; his son Jubal A. Taylor (m. Jennifer) of Las Vegas, NV; and his son-in-law Daniel Peters of Tucson, AZ.  Also, his five grandsons, three granddaughters, one great-grandson and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their children whom he all adored.

George was predeceased by his mother Bessie M. Taylor (Christensen), brothers Wesley E. Taylor and Edgar A. Taylor; and beloved daughter Joli A. Taylor-Peters.

As a member of the Merchant Marines, George engaged in relief work to feed and rebuild post-war Europe and traveled the world. After his 30+ years as a corporate auditor for the Western Electric/ AT&T/Bell Telephone system, he returned to his beloved Kansas to plant and tend an orchard of fruit and nut trees on a homestead known as The Taylor Orchard.

George also engaged his passion for accounting in an exhaustive research project by reconciling and recording every Taylor that served in the U.S. Civil War, amassing a large collection of family genealogy records.

Always, George’s greatest love was family, both close and extended. So, across the U.S. his travels reflected his deep yearning for connection and personal reassurance that everyone in our extensive family tree was well and accounted for.

Memorial services for George Earl Taylor, 95, will be Thursday, December 28 at 2:00PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Livestream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwMzYyMzg5ODI4NzI3NCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Richard Howard

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Richard Howard, proud Air Force veteran, died peacefully on December 17, 2023, surrounded by his daughters, Laura and Larraine and his grandson David at Neuvant House in Lawrence, Kansas. He was Born December 18, 1929, of Frank Ellsworth Howard and Grace Parshley Howard in the Frisbee Memorial hospital in Rochester, New Hampshire. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Julene and his three siblings, Ruby Howard Hines (later Naison), Cleon Howard and Bernice Howard Foster.

Richard graduated from Spaulding HS in Rochester, NH in 1948 and joined the Air Force, completing basic training at Lackland AFB in March 1948. He completed aircraft maintenance tech school at Chanute AFB, Illinois in July of 1949 and went to his first duty station, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. His first aircraft assigned was a B-29, followed by C-97’s after training at Kelly AFB in 1950.  He met Julene Jensen and was married on December 6, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska. Richard participated in Operation Castle in March 1954 (nuclear bomb tests in the Marshall Islands).  He was ordered to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, in the fall of 1954 to work on C-119s.  The unit moved to Dreux, France in 1955.  A first daughter, Larraine born in Orleans, France on March 10, 1956.

Richard returned to Offutt AFB in 1957 assigned to a T-29, transferring to work on the KC-135 when it arrived in January 1959.  He became a part of the CinC-SAC’s crew under General Thomas Powers.  His second daughter, Laura, was born on September 13, 1960. He continued under General John D. Ryan from December 1964 to January 1967. He served briefly under General Joseph Nazzaro before going to Hickman AFB Hawaii in April 1967 to serve General Ryan while he was the PACAF commander.  He inherited a second AF KC-135 to be used to transport Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., Commander in Chief, Pacific Command.  Richard then followed General Ryan to Andrews AFB, Maryland in June 1969 when Ryan was elevated to Chief of Staff of the Air Force. General George Brown replaced General Ryan in 1973 and was elevated to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1974. He continued to use the aircraft.  General David Jones succeeded General Brown in both posts, becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 1978.  The last General he served was General Lou Allen, who became AF Chief of Staff in July 1978.

After 30 years and 1 day, Richard retired as a CMSgt on November 30, 1978.  During his 30-year career, he traveled all over the world. Notable experiences included going into Indonesia after General Sukarno was deposed and into Iran during the reign of the Shah. He traveled to all continents except Antarctica. After working for the base housing contractor (Kennack) at Andrews AFB for a year, he went to Wichita, Kansas in January 1980 to work for Boeing Fleet Support. He was an engineering technician who supported activities at the Air Force’s Oklahoma City military aircraft depot.  He spent much of his Boeing career continuing to work with the KC-135. He took a retirement buy-out in 1995.

His wife of 53 years (Julene) died on December 16, 2005.  After 3 more years in Wichita, he settled at the Brandon Woods retirement community in Lawrence, Kansas, home of his daughter Laura. Over the next 14 years, he was the chair of the community’s maintenance committee and the resident’s council and was often referred to as the “Mayor” of Brandon Woods. He is survived by his daughter Laura Howard of Lawrence, KS; daughter and son-in-law Larraine and Gary Kapka of Miamisburg, OH; his grandson David Kapka and his wife Sunny and their children Teagan, Bennett, and Bowen of Springboro, OH; his niece and her husband Donna and David Allen of Rye, NH; his nephew and his wife James and Paula Howard of Middleton, NH; and special friend April Dwyer of Lawrence, KS. Thanks to beloved caregiver Tammy Negrete, his many friends and the staff at Brandon Woods retirement community, and the caring staff of Neuvant House.  Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. A local memorial visitation will be held at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 2-3:30 PM. The family requests any contributions be made to the Richard Howard Scholarship fund with the Air Force Sergeants Association in the care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS. 66044-8260. Continue reading “Richard Howard” →

Lucinda Lee Tyler-Nez

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Lucinda Lee Tyler-Nez, known to her loved ones as Lucy, passed away on December 13, 2023, at her home, in Lawrence, Kansas, at the age of 43. She was born January 4, 1980, in Shiprock, New Mexico. She was known for her selflessness and willingness to go above and beyond for her loved ones. Lucy’s zest for life was as infectious as her radiant smile. Lucy possessed a heart full of kindness that knew no bounds. She had this magical ability to see the good in everyone.

Lucy had a deep love for Mickey Mouse, which was evident in her clothing, home decor, and her family’s collection of Mickey Mouse memorabilia. She was a true Mickey Mouse enthusiast, spreading joy and cheer to all she encountered. Lucy made sure everything was as Mickey-fied as can be. Not only was she a loving mother and wife; she was a beautiful daughter, sister, and aunt. Lucy’s positive outlook on life was contagious and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Lucy leaves behind a trail of cherished memories, survived by her adoring husband, Flynn Nez, her beautiful daughter Philinda Nez, and her handsome son Glen Nez. She is also survived by her loving parents Ella and Lester Tyler, her older brother Darrell Tyler, her younger brother Melvin Tyler, her nieces Aria and Halen Tyler, and her nephew Cassius Tyler. She was preceded in death by her uncle Lawrence Tyler, who is probably sharing his own stories with Lucy up above.

Lucy attended Shiprock High School and graduated in 1998 to then later pursue a career as a ‘Telecommunications Dispatcher’. She was dedicated to her work and made a lasting impact in her profession. She dispatched her way through life, always lending a helping hand and making sure everyone was connected. Talk about being the ultimate multitasker!

When it came to worship, Lucy attended Summit Church in Farmington, New Mexico. A place where her spirit soared and her faith grew stronger. In her free time, Lucy loved to go on exciting adventures, engage in D.I.Y projects, and master new recipes. She was always eager to explore new hobbies and experiences. She had a knack for turning the ordinary into extraordinary, just like her own extraordinary spirit.

In honor of Lucy, a service will be held on December 22, 2023, at 2 pm CT (1 pm MST) at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home which is located at 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. The compassionate staff is assisting with the arrangements and ensuring Lucy’s farewell is nothing short of magical.

To our beloved Lucinda, we will remember her as the one who taught us that life should be embraced with unwavering love, joy, and positivity. She was the true embodiment of love and joy. May her spirit continue to sprinkle happiness and laughter.

Rest peacefully, dear Lucy, and may your endless adventure be filled with laughs and endless fun! As we say our goodbyes, we know it is not forever but rather a “see you later.”

We love you, Lucy.

Duane Leon Sawyer

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Funeral Services for Duane Leon Sawyer, 74, Lawrence, will be 2:30 pm, Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3615 W 10th St, Lawrence, KS 66049. A Visitation will be from 1:45 to service time. Burial with honors will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Baldwin City, Kansas.

He died December 14, 2023, in Eudora.

Duane was born July 5, 1949, in Gardner, Kansas; son of Leon and Marie Sawyer.

As a boy he thought the 4th of July was for his birthday. His father moved Duane and his mom to Lawrence when he was 1 year, before he left for the navy during World War 2. Duane graduated from Lawrence High in 1967.

He attended Kansas University until his draft number came up for the Vietnam War. He then decided to join the US Navy. He was sent to Nuclear Power school in Idaho for training. He was then accepted into the NECP Program and sent to study at Purdue University in Indiana in Aug. 1971. At Purdue he met Denise Sawyer, and they were married on Oct 14, 1972.

He was sent to England for Satellite Training and was sent to the USS Enterprise to set up a satellite system on the ship. Duane completed 12 years of active duty and then several years in the reserves until he retired from the Navy. In civilian life, He worked for a computer maintenance company, traveling to company sites to maintain their computer systems. In 1988 he moved back to Lawrence, his hometown. He worked at Honeywell as an Engineer Tech until 2006. He was diagnosed with Brain cancer in 2006 and went through 19 months of Chemo and six weeks radiation. The brain cancer has been stable since this time. He moved to Homestead Assisted living in Eudora Kansas in Aug. 2022 when he needed more care. He succumbed to Covid when it went through the community. Homestead has been wonderful with his care. He passed away on Dec 14, 2023.

Duane leaves his wife Denise of 51 married years. 6 children: son, Stefan Sawyer (Stacy) of Lawrence; daughter, Miriam Slaugh (Joe) of Lawrence; daughter, Estella McCollum (Charley) of La Grange, Ohio; Son, Samuel Sawyer of Perry; Son, Michael Sawyer (Emily) of Cross Plains, Wisconsin; and son, William Sawyer (Kara) of Saratoga Springs, Utah.

Other Survivors: 2 sisters, Janis Miskimins and Jeannie Sawyer- Rummer. Mother-Rosa Marie Sawyer, also living at Homestead in Eudora, KS. 14 Grandchildren: Abigail, Nathan, Brody, Jacob, Kyan, Phoenix, Montogomery, Memphis and Preston Sawyer; Savannah, Sierra and Sydnee McCollum; Hailey Carr and Joseph Slaugh. 2 great granddaughters: Maifire Sawyer and Chloe Carr. 2 grandchildren proceeded him in death: Taylor and Emily Sawyer.