Charles Lee Atchison

Charles "Chuck" Lee Atchison, 88, of Lenexa, KS, passed away on January 22, 2025. Leaving his friends and family with a legacy of stories and memories packed with humor, travel, his treasured antiques, and a lifetime of mischievous antics.

Born on June 29, 1936, to Homer and Faye Atchison in Princeton, Kansas, Chuck was raised on a farm and started work in the fields driving a tractor with his dad at a very young age. Photos from that time show him beaming, the same toothy smile he carried throughout life.

A 1954 graduate of Williamsburg High School in Kansas, Chuck had an insatiable love for cars—buying his first of many as a teenager, and countless tales of daring car-related escapades ensued.

Chuck proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Afterward, he worked for the highway department and built grain elevators, surviving several life-threatening accidents. Later, he pursued a career as a machinist at Colgate-Palmolive, where he retired at 55.

In retirement, Chuck spent years traveling with his second wife, Marjorie Atchison, and after her passing in 1996, he continued his travels all over the world with Cynthia Litman, his partner since 1999.

Chuck was sweet, funny, and endlessly stubborn. Whenever you heard him say, "To make a long story short," you knew you were in for an interesting story, whether it was a retelling of how he worked and saved for a pair of spurs as a kid only to get bucked off his horse or the history behind one of his many collectibles. Those words will forever echo in our minds and hearts.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Atchison; daughters, Lori Atchison and Kelley Leahy; grandson, Marshall Norris; and granddaughter, Dusty Courtney.

He is survived by his children, Steve and Terrie Atchison of Alabama; Bud and Troylinn Norris of Tennessee; and Terri and Jeff Benz of Missouri. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and because we consider them family, his wonderful neighbors Steve and Becky. 

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at The Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203.

Charles will be laid to rest at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens.