Wayne Frederick Stroud

A good man, Wayne Frederick Stroud passed away June 11, 2026, with his family by his side. He was 91. He had been married to his wife Jean for 72 years. In addition to wife Jean, he leaves behind his brother Carl Stroud and sister Gayle Landers; children Steven Stroud, Cynthia Ozee & husband Gary, and Laura Verderber & husband Patrick; grandchildren Matthew Stroud, Mitchell Stroud & wife Erin; great grandchildren Corby, Isabella, and Dorothy Stroud; sisters-in-law Bonnie Overton, and Karen Kovac; brother-in-law Ray Reynolds; and ten nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Ruby and Carl Stroud; his father Walter Jones; and his son Edward T. Stroud. 

A mid-western man, Wayne was born March 24, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas to Ruby Pearl Ray and Walter Frederick Jones. Wayne was subsequently adopted and raised by Carl Edward Stroud, who in 1938, married Ruby following her divorce. Wayne grew up with his parents and siblings in the Wyandotte County & Argentine, Kansas areas surrounded by extended family and friends. 

Wayne recalled his boyhood activities which included carrying coal in from outside twice a day to heat the stove, sledding down 29th Street hill in the winter, breaking windows in abandoned houses, riding bikes on Parallel Avenue, taking the streetcar to see movies at the Granada Theatre, and roller skating at the Pla-Mor in KCMO. He worked several jobs in his youth that included cleaning up after the ’51 flood for $2 an hour. His most memorable early job was working, at age 13, as a golf caddie. He carried a bag 18 holes for $2. By age 16 he could carry two bags for 18 holes twice a day at the Indian Hills and Mission Hills country clubs. Throughout his life he loved getting up every day and going to work. He liked putting everything he had into his jobs. He was known and remembered for his great work ethic. Even after his retirement, he worked part-time helping others complete their taxes. And at age 90, he was still working at something, whether painting the fence, mowing the yard, driving across state to help a family member, shoveling the snow, or walking the dog.

A strong and determined man, Wayne spent his youth playing several sports including baseball, track, football, and basketball.  As an adult he continued to play golf, along with Jean, in Kansas City or around the country when they travelled. He had bowling and golf trophies, and even a certificate verifying his 161 yd “hole-in-one”, so we know it really happened. 

A man of good character, Wayne served in the National Guard and was a member of Emerson Park Christian Church where his family attended in Kansas City, Kansas. It was there he was baptized, attended youth programs, married Jean, and later in life with his brother Carl and brother-in-law Richard Overton, made Sloppy Joes to take and serve at the food pantry in Armourdale. He was close to his parents, until their deaths, and close to his siblings. He would spend time on weekends and holidays hanging out with them. 

A trustworthy man, a “boy scout”, Wayne was literally a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, and he attended youth camps for church. In Argentine High School, class of 1953, he was a member of the National Honor Society. A smart man, he had good grades in high school and went on to Doane College in 1953-54 where he had a 3.8 GPA. He would learn whatever job skill or knowledge was required to succeed. In an effort to improve his early career opportunities, he took an accounting job when he did not have experience or know how to create financial statements. But he figured it out and would later excel in controller and business manager roles. In 1959, at Van Chevrolet, he started working in the auto sales industry and continued to do so until retirement. He worked at auto dealerships in Kansas and Missouri starting as office manager then taking on greater responsibilities. Eventually, he and a couple friends opened their own car business for several years. He did sell used cars but was not a “used car salesman”. He had a reputation as a fair and honest businessman. His last career in the industry was with various auto auctions where he moved between Kansas City, Nashville, and Dallas between 1985-1997 as a business manager, then general manager, and finally Director of Operations Western Region for ADT Auto Auctions. He then retired at age 65, and with Jean, moved to Georgetown, Texas. But after several years they returned to the Kansas City area to be closer to family. 

A romantic man, Wayne met a girl in high school named Bonnie Baldwin who would change his life. She had a math class with him and thought he was smart, and maybe a good match for her youngest sister, Jean Baldwin. Bonnie told Wayne to call her sister for a date. Well, he did call to make a date, but with the wrong sister as there was more than one. Once past that confusion though, Wayne and Jean did become a great match and married on August 20, 1954. He loved and took care of Jean and was a dedicated husband. He demonstrated his devotion with his hard work whether in business, at home, at church, or helping extended family. He remembered anniversaries and enjoyed giving gifts. There were cards, jewelry, special dinners, and travel according to whatever they could afford. And their love for each other was evident by their four children. They started creating a family right away, and from 1955 to 1963, had Steven, Cindy, Eddy, and Laura. The children were moved from Kansas City to Leavenworth, and then to Independence. They were all lucky to have a good amount of extended family, and spent lots of time with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Wayne and Jean would travel alone, or with the children, and would also spend lots of time over the years going to new places and old favorites with their sisters and brothers. Wayne watched his children grow up, and like himself, play sports, break things, bike around the neighborhood, and excel in different subjects at school. They would start working at early ages, try different businesses, leave home, and then start their own families, just as he had. One thing they all had in common was a dad who would help them along the way, however he could.

Wayne would spend time as needed going to work, completing home improvement projects, keeping a nice yard, visiting relatives, and teaching his children how to ride bikes, do homework, or drive a car. But he also liked to make people laugh, take photographs on vacation, explore new places, try financial ventures, listen to different genres of music, read lots and lots of books, watch movies, and learn history. One hobby which became an accomplishment for which he was rightfully proud, was the result of years spent putting together a genealogy history for the family. He traced back some ancestors before they came to America, and this was done before all the many internet advantages we now have. We have volumes of history and stories from his hard work. 

Thank you for your strength, love, and big heart! We love you and will miss you always! 

There will be a private Celebration of Life held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food pantry.