“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
Lee Steven Harralson, 75, of Homosassa, FL, was called to his eternal home on September 19, 2025, with his loving wife by his side.
Known affectionately as Steve by all who knew and loved him, he was born in Kansas City, KS to Hildreth (Strever) and Lloyd Harralson, who preceded him in death.Steve was also preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: Dave and June Harralson, Leonard and Judy Harralson, Winnona and Jack Neal, and Lawrence “Larry” Harralson—each of whom he loved dearly.
He is survived by the love of his life whom he was united in marriage with on June 15, 1985 in Kansas City, MO, Lois “Diann” (Hohimer) Harralson of the home; his daughters and step-daughters, Angie (Eric) Barnett of McLouth, KS, Beth Harralson of Jacksonville, FL, Erika Turner and Melaney Thompson, both of Liberty, MO; grandchildren Olivia (Tyler) Petitt, Eli Coulter, Brooklyn (Tyler) Boyer, DJ Thompson, Caroline Powell and Sarah (Jimmy) Megredy-Mongkhonvilay; six great-grandchildren; his sister Kathy (Tom) Dennis of Naperville, IL; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and extended family members.
Steve was born and raised in Kansas City, KS, eventually moving across the state line to the Kansas City, MO metro area. Upon retirement, he and Diann traded a car for a golf cart and relocated to their dream retirement location of Homosassa, FL—where he no longer had to shovel snow, scrape windshields, and could enjoy walking around in shorts and flip-flops year-round.
Steve dedicated 33 years to General Motors at the Fairfax plant and was a proud, active member of UAW Local 31. His passion for helping others led him to serve as a liaison between the AFL-CIO and the United Way of Wyandotte County, a role that blossomed into a period of work at the United Way before he returned to GM. He served as an alderman while living in Pleasant Valley and actively participated in committees and community efforts wherever he lived. After retiring from GM, he worked for JustBats.com, a perfect fit for his lifelong love of baseball.Steve was also an active member of the Bethel Community of Christ Church while living in Kansas City, KS.
Enough of the formalities—on to the good stuff.
Steve was a downright funny guy. His shirt with the mushroom said it all: “a fun-gi.” He gave nicknames, told elaborate fictional stories to his daughters and grandchildren, and passed on tales of chupacabra sightings in their Smithville backyard and had countless Dad jokes that he loved to tell everyone. Alongside his brother Dave, he was a huge wrestling fan and created hilarious “moves” for the grandkids, including the “spinning toe hold” and “sweeper hold,” as he would drag them playfully across the floor.
He taught his grandsons how to treat women with kindness and how to be dapper dressers indeed.
A huge sports fan, Steve remained fiercely loyal to the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs through thick and thin. He loved attending games at Kauffman Stadium, catching Kings basketball games in the ’70s and ’80s, and rooting for the Kansas City Comets during their heyday. He was a walking encyclopedia of sports history, from Buck O’Neil and the Monarchs to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Steve was also a talented musician and singer who loved rock and roll. He played guitar and sang from a young age, was part of a band in his youth, and later took up DJing—a passion he resumed in Florida. Together, he and Diann brought joy to others through music and dancing. His song parodies were legendary, unmatched in wit and humor.
Most of all, Steve loved his family and friends deeply. He and Diann shared a love that many aspire to find. His daughters, Angie and Beth, were his pride and joy. From the moment they were born, his love for them was unwavering. He welcomed Erika and Melaney into his heart as his own and treated them no differently. Being a grandpa came naturally to Steve—he cherished every call, text, photo, and story from his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their children. His joy was infectious, his smile unforgettable, and his pride in his family boundless.
At the end of the day, Steve was genuinely kind—a gentleman, a gentle man, and a giver of love, laughter, and support. He leaves behind a legacy of memories that will continue to bring smiles, tears, and laughter for years to come.
He will be missed deeply by all who knew him—but we are all better off having known him.
Funeral services: 12:00 p.m. Monday, September 29th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Smithville, MO. Visitation will be from 10:00 am – Noon with funeral to follow. Burial: Terrace Park Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Steve’s favorite charities; Toys 4 Tots, Shriners Hospitals for Children or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
