Theodore Rufus Gardenhire, Jr.

Life Reflections

Theodore Rufus Gardenhire, Jr. was born June 15, 1934 to the union of Grace and Theodore Rufus Gardenhire, Sr. in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Grace; father, Theodore; daughter, Gayle; brothers, Elroy; and William, Sr.; granddaughter, Renisha; great grandson, Kingston; and great granddaughter, Skylar.

He attended W.W. Yates Grade School and graduated in the class of 1953 from R. T. Cole Vocational High School, where he majored in Masonry Brick Laying, at this time he married Hazel Clark to this union were born two children, Maurice; and Gayle. Later he met and married Anna Jean Black on August 14, 1956 to this union was born seven children, Gwennetta; Renita; Yolonda; Michael; Perry; Grace; and Gregory.

He worked many jobs to support his growing family, Lake City Ammunition Plant, The Post Office, (selling Peanut Brittle out of his van for his wife Anna Jean), and General Motors Fairfax Plant where he worked for 22.4 years and retired in 1998, after retirement he started cutting his grass often and continued to do so until last year 2016, he hated to give it over to his son/twin Perry, he first supervised the cuts following very close behind him thoroughly.   He was a very clean man, he didn’t allow you to lay in and sleep, if he was up cleaning then you were up cleaning. 

He accepted Christ at a young age, served as a Trustee at the Church until his later years, he became an Usher at Progressive Baptist Church, later he heard that an old neighborhood kid was preaching at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church so he became a member.

Theodore was affectionately called “Ted” by his family and friends.  Theodore Rufus Gardenhire, Jr. departed this earthly life on Friday, September 1, 2017 at North Kansas City Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Jean Gardenhire; his sons, Maurice Gardenhire (Margaret); Michael Gardenhire, Sr.; Perry Gardenhire (Tamela); Gregory Gardenhire; his daughters, Gwennetta Solomon-Gidden; Renita King-Garrett (Eddie); Yolonda Wiley-Michell (Billy); Grace Johnson (George); 26 grandchildren; 51great grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; a host of relatives, cousins, and many loving friends.

His Legacy

 Service Information