Sr. Harold Leon Chaney

On Thursday evening, July 22, 2021, Harold L. Chaney Sr., known to many as Chaney, passed away at the age of 86, slightly short of his 100th birthday goal. Loved, revered, respected, and greatly missed by the eight hearts and minds he loved, blessed, molded, and shaped. The eight are his wife Mary, daughters Terry and NaNette, and sons Harold Jr., Darren, Karl, John, and Michael.

Chaney was born on October 23, 1934 in Jefferson City, MO to Clarence and Annie Mae Chaney, the youngest of four children. The family later moved to Kansas City where he became a proud graduate of RT Coles Vocational School. He married the love of his life, Mary E Minor, of Kansas City, MO on December 14, 1955, and last celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together. Their marriage union was followed by the birth of their seven children.

After Chaney graduated, he worked for several local companies until he began his career in 1956 with Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation. He was the first African American employee to rise from the ranks of Laborer, to Utility Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Mechanic, General Foramen and Area Superintendent. As Area Superintendent, he touched the lives of many KC families with special park development projects including Troost Lake, Prospect Plaza, Vineyard Park, Heritage Village, Kessler Park, Oak Park, Winner Park, Spring Valley Park, Hodge Park, Penguin Park and many other landscaping, construction, and building projects in the northland and central KC districts. One of his greatest loves was to assist the annual Kansas City Flower, Lawn, and Garden Show at H Roe Bartle Hall. After he retired in 1989, he would continue for ten years to provide his services for the KC Lawn and Garden Show. Chaney always attributed his career success to the many dedicated KC employees and especially Keith Williams, Carl Winhauser, Anita Gorman, Mark McHenry, Steve Lampone, Jerry Darter, Jerry Johns, Rosemary Malloy, Mike Herron, and Sidney Black. The family sends love and appreciation to each of you for helping Chaney show us what can be achieved in a community where hearts, minds, and will come to meet!

Chaney loved the residents of KC and the opportunity to serve. He tutored children, umpired ball games, mowed neighbor's yards, assisted friends and strangers in auto and home repair and remodeling projects, mentored many young men and women. In 1999, he joined and served Christ at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church of Kansas City, MO assisting as Chairman of the Trustee Board from 2004-2021. With his wife, he began the Horn of Plenty, an annual feed the homeless ministry project at the church.

His hobbies and passions involved joining family and friends on fishing and hunting trips, golfing, playing dominoes and cards. He celebrated both Chiefs SuperBowl victories and both Royals World Series championships. He would attend the NAIA basketball tournament with his friend Fred McClain.

Chaney was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Annie Mae, and his brothers Clarence Jr. and Charles Chaney. He is survived by his wife Mary, his seven children Harold Jr., Terry, Darren (Kimberly), NaNette, Karl (Sandy), John, and Michael (Alease), his brother William Chaney, his three sisters in law Valjean Minor, Lula Marie (William) Claiborne, Nellie Roberts, fifteen grandchildren, forty eight great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, adn a much loved host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

The family will have Park Lawn Funeral Home conduct services on Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, 2910 E 30th Street, Kansas City, MO with Visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by funeral services at 11AM; burial to follow at Blue Ridge Lawn Memorial Cemetery.

"...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Luke 10:27

The family thanks each of you for your support, kind words and acts, and especially the love and prayers you have showered upon us in our hour of transition.

The family will have Park Lawn Funeral Home conduct services on Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, 2910 E 30th Street, Kansas City, MO with Visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by funeral services at 11AM; burial to follow at Blue Ridge Lawn Memorial Cemetery.

“…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10:27

The family thanks each of you for your support, kind words and acts, and especially the love and prayers you have showered upon us in our hour of transition.