Wood Wendel Sr. Roger

Roger Wood Wendel, Sr., 84 of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away on May 22, 2022. He was born to parents Ray and Betty Wendel on September 15th, 1937.

Roger graduated from East High School in 1955. He won the prestigious DiRenna award for the most outstanding basketball player in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. That same year he met the love of his life, Joel Lanette Wendel, and they were married August 10th, 1956.

Roger received an amazing basketball scholarship from Tulsa University, and Tulsa became the first home of him and his wife. Roger was later inducted into the Tulsa University Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 for his outstanding performance. He was drafted into the NBA upon graduation but decided to stay at TU and achieve his master’s degree and recruit new talent for the team.

Roger then moved back home to the Kansas City area where he worked for the Kansas City Public Schools for much of his life. He was a high school English teacher, coach, counselor, and recruited for the district during his final years. After he retired from the district, he worked for Dick Smith Ford for several years. He continued to enjoy and maintain the relationships he established there throughout his life.

Roger was an amazing husband, father and grandfather, faithful member of the Methodist Church, amazing golf player and sports lover, and a great friend to many. Roger loved the outdoors at the Lake of the Ozarks and spent a lot of devoted time teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish and appreciate the land.

Roger is survived by his son, Roger Wendel, Jr., his daughter, Melissa Wendel, and grandsons Garrett Wendel, Tanner Wendel, and Chase Wendel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Betty Wendel, his wife, Joel Wendel, his son, Robert Wendel, brothers Robert Black, Richard Wendel, and Raymond Wendel, and his sister Barbara Welch.

The family has entrusted Park Lawn Funeral Home with the arrangements. Services will be held Tuesday, May 31st, 2022. Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. and the funeral will follow. Interment in Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery.

The family has entrusted Park Lawn Funeral Home with the arrangements. Services will be held Tuesday, May 31st, 2022. Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. and the funeral will follow. Interment in Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery.