Richard Edward Palmay

Richard E. Palmay, former Kansas City firefighter and long-time Kansas City resident, passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Saturday, December 5, 2020. He had struggled with his demons for many years.

Richard was born in Houston, TX and moved to Kansas City, Missouri at age 2, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a graduate of Center Senior High School, class of 1982. He attended University of Missouri - Kansas City for two years. He had a passion for classic cars, and was proud of his 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible that won many awards over the years. He was also proud to serve as a Kansas City firefighter for 17 years, counting many firemen among his closest friends.

In the last five years he was a member of the BPOE KC Elks #26, serving as an officer. He loved to spend his time with his fellow Lodge members, and just as he did when on the Fire Department, he often did kitchen duty, which he loved to do. He also donated many volunteer hours at the Lodge, painting and installing flooring.

He was the sole proprietor of A+ Plus Mudjacking, building the business from nothing into a very successful enterprise. He was proud of his business and loved his employees.

But his greatest accomplishments, in his opinion, were his children, Nikolas Kane Palmay, 28, also of Kansas City, and Marissa Leigh Palmay Odum, 22, a student at Southern Missouri State University, who currently resides in Joplin. His children are deeply saddened by their father’s passing.

He also leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Palmay, with whom he had planned to spend his last years in their Puerto Rican home. He is also survived by his sister Christie Palmay Dotolo, of Austin, TX and her children, 1st Lt. Richard K. Smith, US Army, Kaiserslautern, and Jozsef L. Smith, of San Marcos TX as well as his mother, Holley Palmay, of Lakeway, TX.

His family is humbly grateful for all the love and support shown to them in this difficult time, and know it’s a tribute to how much Richard was loved by everyone he knew. His infectious smile and sense of humor, as well as his well-developed sense of compassion, endeared him to everyone he met.

The family plans a private service due to Covid restrictions. In the summer, they hope to have a celebration of life, where everyone who loves Richard can be together to remember him. The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the National Alliance for Mental Illness.

The family plans a private service due to Covid restrictions. In the summer, they hope to have a celebration of life, where everyone who loves Richard can be together to remember him. The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the National Alliance for Mental Illness.