Paul D. Esser
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Paul David Esser, 32, of Derby, KS, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at St. Lukes Hospital in Kansas City, MO after a courageous battle with bile duct cancer. Paul had a tremendous impact on the lives of those he touched and will forever be remembered and missed. Born on September 1, 1992, Paul was a Senior Accountant, fitness coach, golf enthusiast, incredible husband, and caretaker to their numerous pets. He is known for his resilience, incredible drive and positive mindset. He is survived by his wife, Hannah (Hughes) Esser; his parents Steve and Mary Jean Esser; siblings Christy Simonsen (Jim), Amy Denney (Matt), Kim Mahoney (Matt), Matt Esser (Gena), close sister-in-law Helen Hughes (Hannah’s twin sister); numerous nieces and nephews, many other family members and close friends, and his beloved pets which the family referred to as their ‘mini zoo’. Brother John Esser (Vera) predeceased him. In his final moments, Paul was surrounded by love with more people at his side than the hospital chaplain had ever witnessed.
A benefit fundraiser in Paul’s honor will be held at Maloney’s Sports Bar and Grill in Overland Park, KS on June 21, 2025, from 5pm to 9pm. Celebration of Life in Derby, KS at Madison Avenue Central Park Pavillion on Saturday July 26th from 11:00am -2pm with inurnment at Hillcrest Cemetery following.
Memorials to St. Lukes Foundation for benefit of the ICU at 901 E. 104th St. #100S, Kansas City, MO 64131 or the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at 5526 West 13400 South, #510, Herriman, Utah, 84096 or Unleashed Pet Rescue at 5918 Broadmoor St. Mission, KS 66202.
Dear Paul,
You were such a kind person to everyone you interacted with. You were always fun to be in class with, hangout with after football games, chill with on the weekends at Trey’s house. I remember most fondly playing basketball with you at the DRC. Also can’t forget the time we pissed off all the parents of the opposing bitty ball team at the Y cause I wasn’t on the roster that one game and we were cookin’ them kids lol. I wish I could have stayed in better contact with you the last few years. I love that you and your wonderful wife came to our wedding. You always had such a calming presence and I always felt like I could trust you no matter what. (Probably because you had “the softest hands in the world”) haha. I don’t remember a single time being around you that I wasn’t either smiling ear to ear or laughing so hard that my abs hurt and eyes were teary. Theres not a soul on earth that could find a bad word about you. You were one of a kind in the best of ways. I’m torn between being so saddened of your passing and so happy that I was lucky enough to be your friend. I hope you know that if I could be I would be at one your various memorials/celebration of life gatherings. But I am in Mississippi on military orders and cannot travel that far. My thoughts and heart are with you and your loved ones and our friends you
left behind. Rest in peace my old friend.
Was a great golfer, but an even better dude.