Gerald D. Hargrave

Chief Warrant Officer Gerald Dixon Hargrave, USA (Ret), 83, of Kansas City, was born November 26, 1940, in Kingston, Missouri, the son of Edwin L. and Ruth M. (Bratcher) Hargrave. He departed this life Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Pleasant Valley Manor in Liberty, while surrounded with love and family.

Gerald grew up in and around Caldwell County and graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Missouri in 1959.

On December 28, 1960, he was united in marriage to Rita Allene Russell in Richmond, Missouri.

Gerald was a United States Army Vietnam War Veteran. Following two tours in Vietnam he was stationed with the 151st Fire Battalion in Alabama, and the 562nd Arctic Engineers in Alaska, as well as several other units as needed throughout his time in the service. He was respected and known for his commitment to his unit and for the care and upkeep of the motor pools under his supervision. He retired from the Army in 1981.

Following his time in the service, he worked as a machinist and oversaw the operations for the automotive machine shop at Tiger Auto Parts in Lee’s Summit. Later, he worked for Dura Industries in Brookfield.

Gerald was a gifted machinist who could fix almost anything. He was also a self-taught computer “genius” and enjoyed spending time online. He could often be found outdoors, gardening and working on various projects around the home. He enjoyed sports and spent some of his free time coaching t-ball and keeping score for his children and grandchildren’s little league baseball teams. He was an avid bowler and also loved watching NASCAR and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals. Most important to him was time spent with family.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Mark “Sarge” Hargrave and John Hargrave; daughter-in-law, Tammy Jo Hargrave; a grandson, Hayden Hargrave, and nephew, Deric Russell.

He is survived by his wife, Rita of their home; four children: Kathy (and Roland) Sneed of Grandview, Jerry (and Janet) Hargrave of Liberty, Doug (and Teri) Hargrave of Greenwood, and Kenny (and Kristi) Hargrave of Lee’s Summit; six grandchildren: Shane (and Emma Moreland) Hargrave, Payton (and Jessica Daugherty) Hargrave, Paige (and Cole) Cross, Destiny (Riley) Hargrave, Zander Hargrave, and Hannah Sneed; five great grandchildren: Kameron, Callie, Jaxon, Piper, and Abigail; two sisters: Alma Walls of Buckner and Francie Snodgrass of Independence; along with many nieces and nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Michael Wessberg will officiate. 

Graveside military services and interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, with full military honors by the United States Army and the American Legion Post #223, Higginsville.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warriors and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550