Wayne D. Ezzell, 85, of St. Joseph, MO passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023 at his home. He was born February 20, 1938 in St. Joseph, son of the late Nina and Ted Ezzell.
He attended Lafayette High School and at the age of 17 joined the US Army. He is a Veteran of the Korean War Serving 2 tours and was stationed at Ft. Chaffee Arkansas, Ft. Sill, OK, Ft. Bragg, NC, Rivers Barracks in Germany and Ft. Carson Colorado, with a total of 10 years of service. Following his service he went to work at Dugdale Packing and later Carnation Pet Foods and Friskie's, retiring as a Lead Man in 1997 after many years. On September 24, 1959, he married Kay Herring. Wayne's hobbies included golfing, hunting, fishing, and playing baseball. He enjoyed mowing the grass at his church, New Home Baptist Church where he also served as a Deacon.
Wayne was blessed by and loved, his 4 children, and in-laws and all of his 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted husband and loved his wife Kay for 63 and half years.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Theresa Ezzell-Morse, brothers, Ernest, Robert, Leroy, Charley, Jack, and Don Ezzell, sisters, Josephine Bruce, Shirley Curtis, Virginia Majeski, Betty Baur, and Nancy Matthews and son-in-law, Eddie Hudson.
Survivors include wife, Kay Ezzell of the home, children, Lorrie Hudson of St. Joseph, Julie Dee (Randy) Elliott of Savannah, MO, and Zachary Wayne (Dawn) Ezzell of St. Joseph, grandchildren, Shelbey (Andrew) Furbee, Lynsey (Alec) Silvey, Ben (Kristina) Elliott, Ashlee (Lance) Cornelius, Hannah (Matt) Delaney, Mackenzie Dinning, Kaitlyn (Tyler) Myers, Hunter (Maddie) Ezzell, Cydney (Nate) Byous, Carley Ezzell, Sarah (Mike) Myers, Samantha (Tyler) Reynolds and Jenni Cline, 18 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, good friends, Jerry Roach of Grant City, and Jerry Ward of St. Joseph.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:30 am on Thursday at the New Home Baptist Church. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the New Home Baptist Church. Pastor Kevin Griffin, officiating. The Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.
