Raymon Grant Kious (1942-2024)

Raymon Grant Kious was born July 16, 1942, in Trenton, Missouri to Ernest Romaine (Zeke) Kious and Ruth Marie Stacy Needles, and passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.

After graduation from Princeton High School in 1961, he studied electrical engineering and refrigeration technology. Grant wore many hats throughout his professional career, working as a lineman, a fuel delivery driver, and an operating engineer. He studied physics at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, where he also worked as a mechanical engineer. He spent the later part of his career as an operating engineer with Unity Village and then with Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Grant loved to tinker on mechanical projects, especially antique trains. After retiring, Grant volunteered as a tour guide at Kansas City Union Station, sharing his knowledge of the station’s trains with visitors. Grant was passionate about collecting antiquities, such as railroad items, pocket watches, coins, and National Geographic magazines. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time outdoors.

Grant was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Karen Swearingen Kious. He is survived by his three children: Tiffany (Joshua) Dempsey of Independence, MO; Robert (Michelle) Kious of Tucson, AZ; and Christopher (Jennifer) Kious of Warwick, RI. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Skylar McHardie of Independence, MO; and Everett Kious of Warwick, RI. His surviving stepchildren include Carolyn Aeschliman and Tom Keeney, along with grandchildren Jacob (Brianna) Aeschliman, Aaron Aeschliman, Sarah (Garrett) Hopper, Trysten Keeney, Brandon Keeney, Kaitlyn Keeney, and a great-grandchild, Andrew Aeschliman. Grant is also survived by his brother, John Stacy (Linda) Kious of Kansas City, MO.

Services will be held in Iowa at a later time.