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Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District to convene at Northwest

MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, will again convene at Northwest Missouri State University and hear oral arguments in four cases, beginning at 1 p.m., Monday, March 11, in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom.

A three-judge panel consisting of Western District judges Cindy Martin, Thomas Newton and Gary Witt will hear the arguments and remain after the court session to discuss the court system and explain the proceedings.

The program is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Northwest’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Northwest Pre-Law Society.

The court has convened annually at Northwest since 2010, and the upcoming session will mark the 11th time it has sat for arguments in Maryville. Although the Western District convenes regularly at its courthouse in downtown Kansas City, it consists of 45 counties in central and western Missouri and holds court frequently in other locations within the district.

“It is important for the court to convene oral arguments outside of the courthouse in Kansas City,” Chief Judge Karen Mitchell said. “This gives individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see. We hope those attending will gain a better understanding of the court’s function.”

The court will hear appeals from previously held trials and other proceedings in area circuit courts. The judges will hear attorneys argue whether errors were made, requiring the cases to be retried or the trial court’s judgment reversed. The judges will read written arguments before the court session and may interrupt the attorneys’ oral arguments with questions.

Martin was appointed to the court in 2009 and previously practiced law for more than 25 years in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit.

Newton was appointed to the Western District in 1999 and was a Jackson County circuit court judge for six years before that. He previously served as assistant Jackson County prosecuting attorney and as an assistant United States attorney.

Witt was appointed to the Western District in 2010. He had served as an associate circuit judge in Platte County and previously practiced law there. He also served in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Northwest Missouri State University news release

Appellate court finds NW Missouri inmate wrongfully incarcerated

MOBERLY, Mo. (AP) — An appellate court has ruled that a Missouri inmate who’s been imprisoned for two years should never have been incarcerated.

Cole -photo MDC

The Missouri Western District Court of Appeals found Tuesday that 42-year-old Vance Cole completed his probation for felony vehicle tampering and misdemeanor theft in February 2016, almost 11 months before he was sent to prison for an alleged violation.

Issues arose when a Carroll County judge found that Cole didn’t pay court costs, including jail board while awaiting trial, and deemed those costs restitution. The defense successfully argued that the costs weren’t restitution and that Cole’s probation had ended when that finding was made.

Cole remains incarcerated at the Moberly Correctional Center while the Attorney General’s office considers whether to appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Winter Weather Advisory in effect until noon

Snow will taper off this morning but areas of blowing and drifting snow may continue through the afternoon. Very cold temperatures are expected through Tuesday, then slightly warmer (but still below average) temperatures may develop by midweek. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Snow, mainly before noon. Patchy blowing snow before 11 a.m. High near 10. Wind chill values between -5 and -12. North wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -7. Wind chill values between -12 and -20. North northwest wind 7 to 15 mph.

Monday: Sunny and cold, with a high near 12. Wind chill values between -13 and -23. West northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 5. Wind chill values between -8 and zero. West wind 7 to 9 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 19. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 5.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Snow likely before 3 p.m., then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Rain and snow likely before 7 p.m., then a chance of snow between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: Rain and snow. High near 43. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Obituaries March 2nd

Doris Evaline Jaramillo
1927 – 2019

Doris Evaline Jaramillo 91, of Saint Joseph, MO passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019 in a Saint Joseph, MO hospital. She was born October 21, 1927 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Myrtle and Raymond Wattenbarger. She graduated from Lafayette High School, and she worked at the Missouri Methodist Medical Center and Carriage Square Nursing Home as a Nurse Assistant. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and sitting on the front porch, and she was a member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church. Doris was preceded in death by husband, Mike Jaramillo, her parents, brothers, Charles, Raymond and Donald Wattenbarger, and sisters, Beverly Craig and Carolyn Guyer. Survivors include: daughters, Julie (Robert) Pollard and Regina Anderson, sons, Thomas Jaramillo and Michael (Vickie) Jaramillo all of St. Joseph, MO, sister, Barbara McDowell, grandchildren: April McQuate, Daniel Jaramillo, Christie and Christopher Anderson, Tristan DeSpain, Chelsea Spellman, and 8 great grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 10:00 am at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Fr. Jonathan Davis Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 PM, and the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery . Memorials are requested to the St. Patrick’s Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

 

Larry Allen Starling
1943 – 2019

Larry Allen Starling 75, Saint Joseph, Missouri died Monday, February 25, 2019 in Saint Joseph. Born July 27, 1943, Lost Nation, IA. Preceded in death by father, Eldon Starling. Survivors include mother, Lois Will, daughter, Paula Isgrig, sisters, Derise Rawls and Luanne Hillock, and companion, Karen Shaffer. Cremation under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the Leavenworth National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials Larry Starling Memorial Fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

 

Robert Kenneth Jackson
1929 – 2019

Robert Kenneth “Ken” Jackson, 89, of St. Joseph, died March 2, 2019. Ken was born May 17, 1929 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

He was raised in Londonberry and immigrated to Edmonton, Canada, where he was a police officer for the Edmonton City Police. He then to Reno Nevada. Prior to retirement he worked as an adjustor and auditor for American Hardware Mutual Insurance Co. He was a member of Reno Lodge #13, Scottish Rite, Kerak Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters.

Survivors include his wife Sandra; sons, Terry, Alan, Kenny, Ian, and Donny; grandchildren, Neana, Alexis, Leah, Joey, Madison; and several great-grandchildren.

Ken has been cremated under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Private services will be at a later date.

 

Garin Daniel Kinzer
1964 – 2019

Garin Daniel Kinzer, 55, of Tie Siding, WY formerly of Atchison, KS died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 26th, 2019 at his home in Wyoming.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. He has been cremated according to his wishes. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Friday, March 8th, 2019 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tie Siding Volunteer Fire Department, Tie Siding, WY and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Garin was born on January 29th, 1964 in Carlsbad, NM the son of Gary and Marjorie (Hammond) Kinzer. He graduated from Atchison High School in 1982. He later attended the NEKS Area Vo-technical school and earned an Associate’s Degree in Computer Drafting. Garin was a carpenter and worked construction. He was a member of the ELKS Club, the National Rifle Association and was a volunteer fire fighter in both Kansas and Wyoming. Garin helped start and coach a wrestling program at the Atchison YMCA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, archery, shooting and was an avid outdoorsman. He was a craftsman, carpenter, enjoyed reading, and watching sports, especially Chief’s Football.

Survivors include his mother, Marjorie Kinzer, Shawnee, KS, three sons Reagen (Erika) Kinzer, Atchison, KS, Stephen Kinzer, Wichita, KS, and Jonathan Kinzer, Laramie, WY, a daughter Jaymi (Colby) Kearney, Nortonville, KS, three sisters Kelli Thomas, Omaha, NE, Bronwyn Ruffalo, Olathe, KS, and Leigh Kinzer, Shawnee, KS, and seven grandchildren. His father and grandparents preceded him in death.

Black Balloon Day to bring awareness to impact of drug addiction and overdose

Black Balloon Day balloons are available at the St. Joseph Health Dept. Photo courtesy Nancy King.

By Sarah Thomack
St. Joseph Post

The opioid task force and others in St. Joseph will be taking part in a day next week to bring awareness to the impact of drug addiction and overdose.

This will be the fourth year that Black Balloon Day will be observed nationally and the first year in St. Joseph. Black Balloon Day is Wednesday, March 6th.

St. Joseph Health Dept. Health Educator Nancy King said the day is observed by people placing a black balloon outside of their home or business to bring awareness of everyone who has been lost to addictions.

“When we had our International Overdose Awareness Day event in August, we had a mother that drove up from Platte City to attend our event. She was actually from Scott County, Indiana, and she had a beautiful daughter that she lost to heroin overdose earlier that year and she was the one who told us about Black Balloon Day,” King said. “We’ve started the Opioid Task Force, we’re trying to raise awareness in our community, we thought this is a simple way that we can bring people together, show solidarity, whether you’ve been personally impacted by drug addiction or you just have a concern about our community, about the direction that it’s going with the drug epidemic that’s running rampant across the country.”

Balloons with the Black Balloon Day message printed on them will be available to pick up at the St. Joseph Health Department and at the St. Joseph Youth Alliance.

For more information, contact Nancy King at the health department at (816) 236-1491.

MoDOT advises motorists to stay off roads during upcoming winter storm

Another round of winter weather in Missouri is expected Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has issued a “no travel advisory” for the duration of this storm, which is expected to continue through part of the day on Sunday, March 3.

According to the National Weather Service, this storm system is tracking from the west to the east and will bring bitter cold temperatures and snow accumulations of up to six inches throughout much of the state. Sleet and freezing rain will also be possible. Blowing snow will also reduce visibilities at times on Sunday. Snow accumulation could reach an inch per hour.

“We advise everyone to stay off the roads,” said Becky Allmeroth, MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer and Chief Safety and Operations Officer. “At times, snow will be heavy. For your safety please stay home.”

According to MoDOT, road treatment chemicals are affected by the extreme cold. At 30 degrees, one pound of salt will melt 46.3 pounds of ice, but at zero degrees, the same pound of salt will melt just 3.7 pounds of ice. When temperatures drop below freezing, MoDOT often adds other products such as calcium chloride and beet juice to the salt to help it work more effectively.

For road conditions, including winter weather conditions and traffic speeds, you can check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org The map is also available as a free app for Apple and Android devices.

Motorists can also call MoDOT’s customer service center for road conditions at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636).

Missouri ‘on track’ to offer REAL ID licenses this month

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri officials say the state is “on track” to soon begin offering licenses and identifications that comply with stricter federal identification requirements under the Real ID Act.

But the Missouri Department of Revenue says in a news release that there’s no immediate need to rush to apply when they become available starting March 25. The current state-issued license and ID card can be used to board domestic flights until October 2020. That’s when licenses that comply with tougher proof-of-identity requirements will be needed at airports. They’re also needed to get into federal facilities and military bases.

Lions Clubs’ Pancake Days kick off Friday

The 66th annual Lions Clubs’ Pancake Days kicked off Friday morning.

Tickets are $7 at the door. Jacob Dillon with the Host Lions Club said the proceeds go toward the Lion’s main mission.

Pancake Days run until 7 p.m. Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Knights of Columbus at 1205 North 49th Terrace.

Obituaries March 1st

Gary Shane Linck
1956 – 2019

TROY, KANSAS – Gary Shane Linck, 62, of Troy, Kansas passed away Monday morning, February 25, 2019 at a St. Joseph, Missouri hospital.

Gary was born on July 7, 1956 at Oak Harbor, Washington to Leo & Shirley (Blasi) Linck. He grew up in California and graduated from Soquel High School and earned an associates degree from Cabrilla College. He was very active in 4-H and was awarded 4-H All Star Leader. He worked at the County Bank. He also farmed and raised registered Polled Herefords with his dad over in Brown County. He was very artistically talented and shared that talent with many. He was also a great photographer. Gary had worked for Walmart for over 25 years, currently at the South Belt location in St. Joseph, Missouri.

He was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in Troy, Kansas.

Gary married Jacqueline “Jackie” Dawe on August 6, 1988 in Troy, Kansas. She survives of the home. He was preceded in death by his father, and by his sister Sandra.

Additional survivors include: mother, Shirley Linck of Los Gatos, California; sister, Valerie Straub of Sebastian, Florida; brother, Wayne Linck of Los Gatos, California; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

MASS: 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 2, 2019.

At: St. Charles Catholic Church in Troy, Kansas.

Rosary: 6 P.M. Friday evening at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Troy, Ks., with visitation to follow until 8:00 P.M. Friends may call after 9:00 A.M., Friday.

Burial: Mount Olive Cemetery, Troy, Kansas.

Memorials: St. Charles Catholic Church or the Library District #1, both of Troy, Kansas.

 

Carl Lay
1939 – 2019

Carl Lay, 79, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2018. He was born August 31, 1939 in Versailles, Kentucky.

Carl enjoyed fishing, camping, road-trips and fixing things.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Elizabeth (Cook) Lay. Survivors include daughters, Summer Flanagan (David) and April Jack; grandchildren, Fawn, Nora-Blu, and Courtland Jack, Avery Waddle, Dixie Swomley, Cooper and Eliana Flanagan; great-grandson, Damien Jack; brother, Daniel Lay; nephew, Corey Couch.

Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to the National Alzheimer’s Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

 

Olive “Joy” Schiesl
1922 – 2019

Olive “Joy” Schiesl, former resident of St. Joseph, Missouri and Chillicothe, Streator, and Joliet, Illinois, died peacefully Sunday evening, February 24, in Arlington Heights, Illinois surrounded by family.

Joy was one of three siblings born to Ruth and Fred Clagg of Erie and Chanute Kansas. She was married to Robert (Bob) Schiesl, LaVerne (Vern) Gasser, and Jack Burnham, all of whom preceeded her in death; along with stepdaughter, Chris Gasser, and her precious “Lolly”.

Mrs. Schiesl spent a lifetime in retail as a jewelry buyer and fashion merchandiser. Many customers welcomed her advice at Einbender’s, The Paris, Al Baskin, Mark Shale, Streator Dry Good and Dunlap Jewelry. She was always known for her fashionable sense of style. Joy also enjoyed a gratifying career with the Mead Corporation, in the St. Joseph factory, and took pleasure in helping others and being the voice for employees on their Dayton HR Board of Directors.

Joy will be forever missed by Son, Billy James (Jane) Burnham of Iowa City, Iowa; Daughter, Judy Burnham Pedersen of Hoffman Estates, Illinois; Grandchildren, Brooke Joy Burnham Haines and Ashley Joy Pedersen (Paul) Miller; Great Grandchildren, Jack and Andrew Haines, and Christian Robert Miller. She also leaves behind Sister in Law, Janet Schiesl and her children Tim, Matthew, Sue and Michael, Nephews: Michael (Ronda) Meierhoffer and Mark Meierhoffer; Niece, Lora Meierhoffer Christian and all of their loving children and grandchildren.

She was also blessed to have had a large group of amazing friends that served as extended family; Bertha Parker, John and Donna Wilson, Vicki Hinde, Ronda Meierhoffer, Shirley Bunse, Larry Culliver, Carol Meyers, Gail Norman, Susie and Jay Waugh, the Thedinger Families, and many others. Without the support and love from such caring individuals, her life wouldn’t have been as full.

Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 4, 2019, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions in Joy’s name to Noyes Home for Children. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

 

Daniel E. Arnold
1954 – 2019

Daniel E. Arnold, 64, died Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Onaga Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born June 14, 1954 at Coffeyville, the son of Lloyd Allen and Mary Marie Arnold.

Dan was disabled and was preceded in death by a sister.

Cremation with no services is planned.

 

Joan Crockett
1933 – 2019

Roberta Joan Crockett 85, of DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019 at her home. She was born June 4, 1933 in St. Joseph, MO.

She married James “Gene” Crockett on December 23, 1950 in Hiawatha, KS. Joan was a Homemaker. She enjoyed coaching youth softball, camping, fishing, ceramics, and mushroom hunting, but most of all she loved spending time with her grandkids.

She was a member of DeKalb Homecoming Association, Ladies Service Group and the DeKalb Christian Church.

Joan was preceded in death by father, Miles Easter, mother, Marie Easter, step mother Opal Easter, sisters, Joyce Dragoo, Beverly Ardrey, and Patty Keith, step brothers; Vic Kiger, and James Kiger, step sister, Leona Strong. Survivors include, husband, James “Gene” Eugene Crockett of the home, daughters, Pamela M. (James) Farrell and Debbie (Lanny) Krumme, both of Saint Joseph, MO, sons: Richard E. (Sue) Crockett, Aurora, CO, Davy Crockett of the home, grandchildren, Chad Brown, Brandon Crockett, Wesley Crockett, Levi Krumme, Cassie Parker, Samantha Jo Fournier, Lee Ann Farrell-Locklin, James Farrell, Laurie Farrell, Daniel Farrell,, Thomas Farrell, and Kimberly Farrell, great granchildren: Tyler Crockett, Sabestian Crockett, Sabrina Crockett, Maia Krumme, Caden Buntin, Wyatt Parker, Kinley Parker, Paige Gastineau, Sean Shannon, and Amber, great great grandchildren, Michael, Kaleb, Konnor and Lily, and her step brother, Dean (Irene) Kiger.

Funeral services: 10:00 am, Monday, March 4, 2019 at DeKalb Christian Church, Rev. Bob Day officiating, The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Westlawn Cemetery DeKalb, Missouri. Memorials are requested to the DeKalb Christian Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

 

Cloud L. “Bud” Cray, Jr.
1922 – 2019

Cloud L. “Bud” Cray Jr. passed away peacefully with his daughters and caretakers by his side at his home in Atchison, Kansas, the morning of February 27, 2019.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 8th, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. 5th St., Atchison KS, with the Rev. Dr. Rachel Dannar officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 7th, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, 800 Kansas Ave, Atchison, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Mission Creek Camp, founded by Ken & Cathy Scroggs, or the First Presbyterian Church, or the Cray Diabetes Medical Research Foundation, or the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation and they all may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Bud was born on November 7, 1922 to Cloud L. Cray Sr. and Edna Mae in Detroit, Michigan. He shared a birthday with his father.
He spent his youth in Michigan, leaving for Shattuck Military Academy in Minnesota for his senior year in high school.
Bud met the love of his life, Sarah Jane (Sally) Hunter while attending Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated with honors in 1943, with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was active with several groups including Alpha Chi Sigma, Tau Kappa Alpha, Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, AIChE, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and was very proud of his participation with the Debate Club, Speakers Bureau, and Photography Club.
He and Sally were married in 1944, the same year he was drafted into the U.S Army. He served in Livorno, Italy, as a Staff Sergeant during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Bud briefly worked with Dow Chemical Corp. before joining Midwest Solvents Company, now known as MGP Ingredients, Inc., in Atchison as a full time executive in 1947 and became a member of the company’s Board of Directors in 1957. In 1962, he succeeded his father as president of the company. In 1980, one year after his father’s death, Bud became chief executive officer and began his first term as chairman of the Board of Directors, where he served for several years. In 2014 at the age of 90, he once more took on the role of Board Chairman and retired in August, 2015, as Chairman Emeritus.
His community and civic contributions are too numerous to mention, but include a variety of medical, educational, business, and philanthropic endeavors.
Bud was known as “Dr. Cray,” as he tirelessly took care of Sally and her diabetes. They founded the Cray Diabetes Medical Research Foundation at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1981, now directed by Dr. David Robbins. Bud also cared deeply about Dr. Charles Porter and Mid-America Cardiology at KU Medical Center. The Atchison Hospital Association was another love of his, and he served on the Board of Trustees for nearly 30 years.

Educational ventures included his service as a school board member with the U.S.D. 409 school district. He was very proud to be a charter member of the Human Relations Commission of Atchison in the late 1960’s. He continued to support Atchison Juneteenth until his death. Bud also developed the Atchison Community Education Foundation in partnership with Benedictine College to give a full-ride 4-year scholarship to one at-risk Atchison youth each year; and he and his brother, Dick Cray, founded the Cray Center for Entrepreneurship at Benedictine. He rewarded his and Sally’s alma mater by establishing the Cloud L. Cray and Sally Hunter Cray Center for Innovation in Entrepreneurship in the Think Box at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Several business and professional organizations benefited from Bud’s philanthropy and service. He was a director for the former City National Bank of Atchison, Commerce Bank of Kansas City, and Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, to name a few.
The United Way was very dear to Bud’s heart. In 1977, he conducted the first successful United Way campaign in Atchison in 17 years. He was also active in projects benefiting the Atchison Family YMCA as a lifelong member. Other leadership efforts in the Atchison community included work on the historic Santa Fe Depot, and the Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum. The Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce honored Bud with induction into its Hall of Fame. He later was awarded the Cray Vision of Excellence Award created by the Santa Fe Depot Trustees to honor his service to the community.
Bud was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church in Atchison, and served for several years as a church elder. Bud and his father, Cloud, created the Presbyterian Community Center endowment which continues to support the Theatre Atchison building to this day. Bud loved teaching adult Sunday School classes for over 50 years. He also worked with the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America on the executive board and finance steering committee.

Bud enjoyed his time with civic organizations such as Kiwanis, the Elks, and the Masons. He was the longest living member of the Atchison Elks with 70 plus years of membership.

He was proud of his membership with the Young President’s Organization in Kansas City, the Kansas City President’s Organization and World Business Council, which led to many wonderful trips that included his family.

Ringing the Bell at NASDAQ Headquarters in New York City in 2016 at the age of 94 with MGP staff and board members was one of the highlights of his illustrious career.

Family members remember “Farmer Cray” with his love of gardening, driving his tractor and spraying his fruit trees. Whether it was nurturing his strawberries, raspberries and asparagus—or baling hay on the tractor, Bud was a “happy farmer.” He so enjoyed his time at the Lake of the Ozarks surrounded by Sally and his family and sailing in his little Sailfish. In the early years, Bud and Sally liked playing bridge and going to the Frog Hop in St. Joseph to dance with friends. His mornings swimming, evenings by the player piano, and boisterous “Bravos” at all family and theatre performances will always resonate with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bud forever will be remembered as the eternal optimist who loved his family, MGP and Atchison and thought every experience in life was “the Best!’

Survivors include three daughters, Susan H. (Stephen) Robbins, Red Lodge, MT, Karen L. Seaberg, Atchison, KS, and Cathy L. (Kenneth) Scroggs, Manhattan, KS., a sister Patricia L. Cray (George) Page, Gilbert, SC, six grandchildren, three step grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. His parents, wife Sally, two sons, Kenneth Allen Cray, and an infant baby, a son-in-law, Laidacker (Ladd) Seaberg, brother Richard B. “Dick” Cray, and sister, Barbara A. Jeffries, preceded him in death.

No charges filed in officer-involved shooting in January

Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Ronald R. Holliday announced Friday that no criminal charges will be filed in the officer-involved shooting of 42-year-old Phillip T.J. Hoyt.

According to a press release from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the shooting occurred January 10, 2019, in an alley in the 1300 block of Garfield in St. Joseph. The St. Joseph Police Department officer involved in the shooting was Officer Branton G. Hutchison, who has been a police officer for over four years for the City of St. Joseph. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Special Division of Drug and Crime Control conducted the investigation at the request of the SJPD.

The investigation disclosed that police officers were dispatched at 3:40 p.m. that day to a disturbance between neighbors in the 1300 block of Garfield. Officer Hutchison engaged two individuals, a male and a female, in an alleyway behind a house. The individuals were walking away from the officer and he instructed both of them to stop. Both initially stopped, but the male subject, Hoyt, then proceeded to walk away at a rapid pace. The officer followed Hoyt to the location of 13th and Atchison and again instructed him to stop. Hoyt turned to face the officer and drew a firearm from his waistband and lifted the gun in the direction of the officer. The officer then fired his service weapon in the direction of Hoyt, striking him in the upper right arm and left hip. Hoyt then fled with the weapon still in hand. He was arrested a short distance away.

Hoyt, a convicted felon who was prohibited by law from owning or possessing a weapon, had in his possession a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol. The weapon was recovered nearby. He had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest and told officers he ran because he knew he was not supposed to be in possession of any weapon. He also admitted he had used methamphetamine, a controlled substance, earlier in the day. Hoyt was treated at Mosaic Life Care and the University of Kansas Medical Center for his injuries.

The press release from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office states, “A law enforcement officer is allowed to use lethal force if that officer has a reasonable belief that the use of such force is necessary to protect himself or another from serious physical injury or death. It is my opinion that the use of force by the officer in this case was permissible and not unreasonable and as a result, will not be the basis for any criminal charge allegations.”

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