Selbert Ray Gandy

Selbert Ray Gandy, 104, passed away at home on May 23, 2022. Selbert was born on April 28, 1918, in Pryor, Oklahoma, the youngest of four children of Holly Cherius and Anna (Ahlfeld) Gandy. His family endured the Great Depression, moving to California when the family farm was lost, and ultimately returned to Kansas where Selbert graduated from Seaman High School in Topeka.

Selbert volunteered four years in the US Navy during World War II. He served as a signalman on the USS Helena and participated in 13 South Pacific naval battles until the Helena was torpedoed and sunk during the Battle of Kula Gulf. After his rescue, Selbert completed his service in non-combat roles.

Just prior to his December 1945 honorable discharge, Selbert met Erma Eileen Yarger at a dance in Topeka. They married in February, 1950, and had two daughters, Carol and Janis.

Selbert held jobs in Topeka and Atchison, Kansas, and moved his family to Kansas City in 1963 to work as a Rate Analyst for the Middle West Motor Freight Bureau.

Selbert enjoyed a variety of activities including dancing, fishing, bowling, hunting, horseshoes and golf. Following retirement in 1982, Selbert joined the golf league at Hodge Park Golf Course and played three times a week up to age 95.

Selbert is survived by his wife of 72 years, Erma; his daughters, Carol (Kenny) Powell of Gladstone, Missouri and Janis (Mark) Richardson of Holt, Missouri; granddaughters, Shannon (Mike) Crowley and Crystal (Brad) James; and six great grandsons, Ethan, Dawson and Treven Crowley, Taylor, Josiah and Aslan James. Along with his parents and three siblings, Selbert was preceded in death by his grandson, Chris Lafferty.

Selbert's family would like to thank the staffs of Oxford Grand Senior Living and Crossroads Hospice for their excellent care of Dad during his final days.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a service celebrating Selbert's life at 11:00 am, on Friday, June 3, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, 1640 North State Route 291, Liberty, Missouri. Burial with military honors will follow at Glenridge Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Crossroads Hospice, 2900 NE 60th Street, Suite 150, Gladstone, Missouri 64119 (crossroadshospice.com).

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a service celebrating Selbert’s life at 11:00 am, on Friday, June 3, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, 1640 North State Route 291, Liberty, Missouri. Burial with military honors will follow at Glenridge Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Crossroads Hospice, 2900 NE 60th Street, Suite 150, Gladstone, Missouri 64119 (crossroadshospice.com).