Kevin Joe Laughlin

Kevin Joe (K-Joe) Laughlin, 58, of Independence, MO passed away on August 31st 2018 with his family by his side.

Born May 2, 1960 in Neosho, MO to Billy and Lillie Laughlin, Kevin grew up in Kansas City, MO, and graduated from Raytown High School in 1978. In 1981, he received an electrical engineering degree from DeVry University.

In 1980, Kevin met the love of his life, JoAnn, while working at her uncle’s grocery store. The pair were married November 28, 1981 and moved to Lubbock, TX where Kevin worked at Texas Instruments. In 1985 they welcomed a daughter, Heather, followed by a son, Shawn in 1988. In 1995, the family moved back to Kansas City and Kevin started a mobile solvent recycling company, Midwest Solvent Recycling. Later in his life, he served in supervisory/managerial roles in warehouse manufacturing. At the time of his death, he was happily employed by Pizza Blends in Kansas City.

Kevin was a very outgoing, friendly, caring and loving man. He loved hanging out with his grandchildren, riding his Honda motorcycle with the Christian Motorcycle Association, watching NFL games while eating Buffalo Wild Wings with his family, and most of all he loved serving the Lord. He was a daily inspiration to many, a role model, and a beacon of faith. Through his actions and testimony, Kevin touched the lives and hearts of many. Described as generous, Kevin would do anything for anyone, even if he was in need. He was also a man of humor, jokes and laughter. (Dad jokes for days)

He was preceded in death by his father Billy Laughlin, and his mother Lillie Laughlin. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, JoAnn; son, Shawn and daughter-in-law JJ; daughter, Heather and her fiancé Jordan; his sister Sherri and brother-in-law Kevin; his brother, Dennis and sister-in-law Kay; his two grandsons, Braxton (4) and Brayley (1); as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held September 8, 2018 at Country Meadows Baptist Church, 4901 Lee’s Summit Road, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be at 1 PM followed by a memorial service at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the Christian Motorcycle Association in his name.

Visits: 6

Condolences

  1. Jennifer on September 4, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    Dear Kevin
    I will miss your smile and your sense of humor and your zest for life..I know your at peace and that gives me peace..don’t know how we will get through without you though?
    Your favorite sister-in law
    Jennifer Finley



  2. Jennifer on September 4, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Dear Kevin
    I will miss your smile and your sense of humor and your zest for life..I know your at peace and that gives me peace..don’t know how we will get through without you though?
    Your favorite sister-in law
    Jennifer Finley



  3. LeAnn on September 4, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss.



  4. Roderick Holmes on September 4, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Kevin was a good man



  5. Connie Phillips Spangler on September 4, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    Kevin you were always an inspiration to everyone. You were always so kind to me at school even when others weren’t. Your kindness followed you into adulthood. Everyday I could count on something inspirational that you had posted on FB. Even as you suffered you were always there lifting others spirits.
    You were an amazing man, friend, and human being. I’m glad you’re in our Fathers hands. God Bless you And thank you for being my friend through the years.



  6. Scott and Janna Walden on September 4, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    A sweet man with a genuine heart for the Lord and for those around him. His friendship he extended to others was the real deal. Although his warm countenance and smile will be missed here, Heaven has gained a beautiful Saint. Prayers for the family.



  7. Terry Russell on September 4, 2018 at 8:17 pm

    Prayers for the family. We know Kevin has found his home with his Lord and Savior. May all the special memories hold all his family until they are reunited someday. May God bless you with His comfort, peace, and His amazing love.
    All the Best,
    Jerry and Terry Russell



  8. Doug Lewis on September 4, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    Years ago, I hired Kevin into the Community Blood Center and quickly came to appreciate the dedication and commitment he brought to the Component Lab team. He was a quick study and great role model and mentor to his teammates.

    He even served as a friend to me as his manager and eventually as his peer when he assumed the manager role in the lab as my successor. I was still young in my experiences as a leader then, and I learned so much from Kevin, as he was a great leader of teams. I’m thankful for what he taught me.

    Kevin’s love of God and his fellow man were abundantly present in his daily actions. The world was a better place day by day because of the love and caring he exhibited. I will miss him and I extend heartfelt condolences to his family. God’s peace be with you all on your road to healing this pain.



  9. Brenda Hagan-Nelson on September 4, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    Joann,
    Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sending you a BIG HUG.
    Brenda Hagan-Nelson



  10. Diane Burger on September 4, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    Loved being in Sunday School class with Kevin – he had a heart of gold helping others when he could use help. He brought wisdom and thoughtful responses to the class we were in.
    Joann,
    My prayers are with you. Make sure you take time to mourn. Love you in Christ,



  11. Shawnee L Watlamett on September 4, 2018 at 11:11 pm

    Thank you for sharing this obituary. I went to “MIT” with Kevin, then went to Lubbock also, after graduation. At the tender age of 18, the Lord led me from Keller, Washington, to Kansas City. He surrounded me with beautiful, safe, good hearted people, and Kevin was one of them. I’m one of the many who’s life and heart he touched. I know that his wife and family made him a happy man. I greive with you all over our loss. I’m comforted with you all knowing, this isn’t really the end! I wish I could be with you all and meet you all. I remember JoAnn. I’m thankful for Kevins heritage. He’s left having made the world a better place.



  12. David Miller ( c shift. Liberty) on September 5, 2018 at 12:32 am

    Every since Kevin left cevalogistics, the place has steadily gone downhill! I am PROUD to tell his family that he was the best boss we EVER had there!!!! He will truly be missed.. Thank you for posting this, I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t!!!



  13. June Bell on September 5, 2018 at 6:20 am

    I had Kevin for a supervisor at Diodes Fabtech. He was a great man. He was an honest god living person. Was lucky to worked for him. He will be missed but God has other plans for him.



  14. Shawn ,J, Brax & Bray on September 5, 2018 at 11:06 am

    When we lose someone who is the cornerstone of our family is hard to chose words to express how we feel. Pops was nothing more than amazing! His love for all of us was unconditional and nothing short of perfect! We will never understand how God works until we meet Him, but Kevin knows now and I’m sure that it all makes perfect sense! One fine day we will meet you in that mansion in the sky; until then or beloved Pops please know that you did exactly what God intended you to do on this earth! You loved, you helped, you taught, you witnessed and you made God proud! Congratulations and welcome home! We are so blessed to have another angel watching over Braxton, Brayley and us!
    Position applied for: angel
    Qualities: Compassionate, loyal, caring, protective, skilled and hard working
    Years of experience : 58
    Position availability : FILLED



  15. Denise Thibault on September 8, 2018 at 12:33 pm

    Kevin leaves an amazing family who will have our prayers now and in the days to come. May the Lord bless them with wonderful memories and hearts filled to the brim.



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