Kent C Mahaffey

Kent C. Mahaffey, 96, of Springfield, IL formerly of Lee’s Summit, MO, died at 12:30 am, Saturday, August 13, 2016 at St. John’s Hospice. He was born March 1, 1920 in Columbus, OH to Kent and Margaret “Nell” (Widener) Mahaffey. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gene Mahaffey; one infant grandson; sister, Maryann Mahaffey; and dear friend, Joanne Owens.

He married Gertrude (Foggy) Mahaffey in 1941, they later divorced. He is survived by two sons: Michael (Judy) Mahaffey of Portland, OR and Kent C. (Pat) Mahaffey of Richmond, TX, one daughter, Kathryn (Roger Muncy) Mahaffey of Springfield, IL; daughter-in-law, Donna Allen (wife of Gene) of St. Simon’s Island, GA; eight grandchildren: Lana (Stephen) Muenster, Kristin (David) Van Hoose, Jason (Jennifer) and Tyler Muncy, Rick and Kevin (Debbie) Whitmore, and K.C. (Leah), Michael (Lacy), and Mark (Lisa) Mahaffey, ten great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Hy Dooha and several nieces and nephews.

Kent received a Bachelor’s in Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Missouri. He began his career working at North American Aviation as a mechanical engineer building B-25 bombers during WWII. Kent retired from Butler Manufacturing after working for 35 years in Kansas City, MO and Galesburg, IL holding several positions including company-wide responsibility for tooling, and trouble-shooting roll forming problems on manufacturing lines throughout the U.S. Kent was a life member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He was a member of the Masons Malta Lodge #318 AF &AM in Burlington, IA. In his retirement, Kent enjoyed golf, bowling and fishing off his pontoon boat.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO.