God, Family, Country. These are the priorities that guided the life of Kenneth Leon Edmonds.  Ken passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31st, 2024, at 86 years old.

He was born March 23,1938, in Parkville, Missouri, the son of Ashby and Gertrude (Wallace) Edmonds. When he was young, he and his nine siblings attended school in a one room schoolhouse, with grades 1-12.  He graduated high school in 1956 in Platte City, Missouri, and married the love of his life, Joy Elizabeth Wagner on May 23, 1959. Together they raised their children, Kathy and Kevin.

Ken and Joy moved to Springfield in the 1980s, and have lived there since. In his youth, Ken worked on the railroad prior to establishing and operating a small construction company, developing skills that he continued to find new ways to use throughout his life. He spent most of his career as a financial planner, and as the owner and operator of local assisted living facilities.

Church was extremely important to Ken throughout his entire life. His dedication and faith were demonstrated in many ways, and if there was a building project, he was always excited to jump right in and help however he could.

Family was his greatest joy. Nothing could bring a smile to his face like spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Old cars were his favorite hobby, and he loved buying cars that looked like they had been in the junkyard for years and rebuilding them into an actual running vehicle that looked great!

To those who knew him well, he was fun loving and quite the prankster. Kenneth touched the lives of many people and will be remembered as a man who was loyal and  devoted to those he cared about.  He will live in our hearts forever.

neth was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Edmonds, his parents, and eight siblings. He is survived by his wife, Joy Edmonds. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy (Edmonds) and Kelly McCrary.  Grandchildren: Jeremy McCrary, Jonathan (Lorien) McCrary, Kassondra Edmonds, Kendra (Cole) Porter, and Klayton Edmonds. Great-grandchildren: Rowan McCrary, Kaiya McCrary, Vanessa Maher, Lucinda Porter and Leon Porter. Other survivors include Ken’s sister Evelyn (Edmonds) Colley and her husband, Austin Colley.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South.  Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. and burial will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield.  Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.    Alzheimer’s Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease