Virgil L. Cauthon

Virgil Lee Cauthon, 98 years, 7 months and 26 days young, passed away on March 19, 2022 at his home surrounded by his kids. Funeral services will be held at Grace Baptist Church, 850 SW State Route 150 HWY in Lee’s Summit, Mo. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 1:00 PM. Friends and family may visit before the service at 12:00 PM noon. Everyone is invited to a ceremony to honor his service to our country at the burial to be held at Green Lawn Cemetery, 8521 Hillcrest Road, KC, MO 64138 following the funeral.

Virgil was born to William “Daddy Bill” Cauthon and Katie Hixson, Cauthon Myers on July 21, 1923 at the Cauthon Homestead in Gerster, Mo. He was married to Helen L. Titus on October 30, 1945. To that union, God gave 2 sons and 2 daughters, Robert Riley Cauthon (deceased), V. Jeanne Cauthon Bryant (Keith), Ronald Dean Cauthon (Anna), and Kathy Lynn Cauthon Foster (Kevin). Later, Virgil and Helen added another daughter, Christina Charyce Cauthon McMillin (James), granddaughter through legal guardianship. Virgil left a legacy of his children, 19 beautiful grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by the beautiful love of his life and wife of 75 years, Helen Cauthon, his Mother, Father, his son “Roby”, 2 brothers, Leonard Mayor and Junior Cauthon, and 3 sisters, Mildred Trolinger, Betty Thompson and Sandy Strickland. He leaves behind a brother Melvin Myers (Marty), a sister Fran Wilson (Rex), a brother in law Bob Strickland, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, whom he loved, some he took in and supported, cared for and nurtured all his life. He was a member of Blue Ridge Baptist Temple where he and his wife taught, by example, their children/grandchildren to love the Lord, His Word and to be a servant to all.

Virgil grew up in Vinita, Oklahoma, raised by Ellen and Bill Smith alongside their 2 children who became like Siblings, Ruth Cowardin and Kenny Smith. He helped work the farm and completed 8th grade from there until he left to take a job at Midwest Construction Company as a light truck driver in Pueblo, Colorado sending his wages back to support his adopted family in Oklahoma. He entered the Naval Branch of service to our country on September 11, 1943 and was honorably discharged on March 4, 1946. He started his own Ditch digging business after coming back to the Kansas City area with his new bride. After a few years he became a dedicated member of the Plumbers Local #8 union until he retired at the age of 63. He continued to faithfully support his family in every way, physically, financially and emotionally. He never said “No” if anyone needed help or support in any way. He always had a smile and was loved by everyone that met him, most calling him “Pa”.

Thank you to his many caretakers and nurses that helped make his transition to his eternal home easier.

Funeral services will be held at Grace Baptist Church, 850 SW State Route 150 HWY in Lee’s Summit, Mo. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 1:00 PM. Friends and family may visit before the service at 12:00 PM noon. Everyone is invited to a ceremony to honor his service to our country at the burial to be held at Green Lawn Cemetery, 8521 Hillcrest Road, KC, MO 64138 following the funeral.