Martin R. Trefz

Martin “Sonny” Robert Trefz, aged 80, of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at the Kansas City Hospice House. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 30, 1942 to Fredrick Daniel Trefz and Adelaide “Scottie” Grace Wilson Lockheart.

Sonny was preceded in death by his Grandfather, Martin Alouis Trefz of Ft. Scott, Kansas; Grandmother, Mary Catherine Sullivan of Atchison, Kansas; Grandfather Robert Mitchell Lockheart of Laurieston, Scotland; Grandmother, Mary Forbes Lockheart of Redding Muirhead, Scotland; Father, Fredrick Daniel Trefz; Mother Adelaide Grace Wilson; Sister, Mary Elizabeth Gatlin; Step-Brother, William Ian Overman; and his loving wife of 56 years, Sandra “Posy” Beer.

He left behind his Sister, Margaret Rose Frazier; Daughter, Kelly Ann Trefz Pfefferkorn; and Son Christen Wesley Gabel (wife Joy); six beloved Grandchildren, Ryan Martin and Katlyn Olivia Pfefferkorn, Catherine Dawn, Cameron Michelle, Caden Robert and Caleigh AnnMarie Gabel, as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Martin was nicknamed by his sister, Margaret, and most everyone knew him as “Sonny” from a very early age. He came from humble beginnings and faced everything head on. His father passed away when he was six years old and was raised by his Mother and both sets of Grandparents, who lived on each side of his mother and fathers home across from Fairyland Park. He attended Southeast High School, where he met his wife Sandra “Posy” Beer. He remembered her from school when she got in trouble once and received swats from her teacher. He drove by her house when she was outside and asked if she had gotten any spats recently. That was the beginning of their romance.

He began working as a roofer at the age of 16 and continued in the roofing industry until his retirement at age 67. He worked hard and never complained.

Sonny was known as generous and kind. He would do anything for anyone. He was humble, strong, and soft hearted. He often sold himself short but delivered gold.

Sonny had many hobbies over his life. He started out building go-carts and began racing them. This eventually led to working on cars and drag racing. He loved the “Troost Hill”. He enjoyed bow hunting for deer and also hunted quail and pheasant with his dog Jessie. Sonny enjoyed photography all throughout his life and even had his own photo lab in his basement and processed his own prints. He toyed with radio controlled airplanes which led to him getting his pilot’s license. He purchased a Piper J-3 Cub and loved to fly his plane on weekends. He even built his own wooden propeller and flew with it several times. He always loved to share his joy of planes and would take anyone and everyone for a ride. He eventually sold this and bought an experimental aircraft that went “faster”. Later in life, he settled down and began sailing in the Lotawana C Fleet for several years, and even later began trading in the stock market.

There was always a “project”, which included complete renovations of both family homes. He was known to be able to fix almost anything.

His favorite past time was bar-b-que smoking and having Sunday dinners with his children and grandchildren. He was ever-present in life making sure everyone was taken care of and cherished his time with his family.

Sonny served on the Board of Adjustment for Lake Lotawana for many years, was a part of the Lake Lotawana Ski Club serving countless hours helping out, participated in the Lake ROMEO’s, was a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc.), Missouri Yacht Club and the US Conceal and Carry Association.

When asked if he regretted anything he said, “No, I had a great life, I worked hard and that was okay because it was good for me. I had lots of toys; fast cars, airplanes, and boats. And I provided for my family.”

He will be missed by many.

A memorial service will be held at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 2pm. There will be no graveside service but a celebration of life will be held at the Lake Lotawana Community Club inside Gate 1, immediately following the service.

A memorial service will be held at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 2pm. There will be no graveside service but a celebration of life will be held at the Lake Lotawana Community Club inside Gate 1, immediately following the service.