Roy D. Shenkel

Roy D. Shenkel, 95, of Shawnee, Kansas passed away on August 2 at Saint Luke's Hospice House.  Roy was born in Armourdale, Kansas to Edward B. Shenkel and Clemmie Rhodes on July 6, 1923.  He married Beulah Katherine Brown, who preceded him in death on July 4, 2003.  His parents, his brother Kenneth and sister Lillian also preceded him in death.  He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Katherine Hornbeck and her husband John.  He is also survived by two grandchildren and four great grandchildren:  Cynthia Lockett and her sons Wesley and Donald; and Craig Gilbert and his wife Jeanette and their son Triston and daughter Trinity.

Roy served in the US Army Air Corps in WW II from 1942 to 1945.  He was a Staff Sergeant, received training as a crew member of a B-17 Bomber and was assigned to the Jersey Mosquito of the 463 Bomber Group of the 774th Bomber Squadron based in Italy.  His plane was shot down on April 6, 1944 over Yugoslavia during a bombing run.  He was in several POW Camps for 13 months and one week.  Roy was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal and the Purple Heart.

After the war, what was then known as the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Hospital organized a special organization for POWs.  Roy was an active member of that group for more than 60 years.  He also served as a volunteer at the current VA Medical Center, was an active member of the VFW, American Legion, and various POW and Ex-POW organizations.  Roy was widely known and respected among the Veterans community in the Greater Kansas City area.

After Roy returned home he started working for Kansas City Power and Light, where he worked for 40 years until his retirement.  Starting as a laborer, he was appointed to 13 different jobs, culminating in being promoted to Assistant to the Senior Vice-President functioning as a lobbyist in Topeka.  He took an early retirement so that he could be with his wife during her failing health.

He also served his community well.  Roy served as a member of the City Council for Shawnee, Kansas for 10 years and was involved in the growth of this Johnson County community that was still his home at the time of his death.

Perhaps most of all though, Roy was a consummate story-teller.  Over a period of many years, he spoke about his life, his captivity as a POW, and why "Freedom is not Free".  He spoke in front of civic organizations, churches of all denominations, and other groups.  But Roy most enjoyed his dozens of talks to school children of all ages, especially young elementary school children.  He was constantly amazed at the way they listened and the questions they asked.

During these talks he frequently brought along the Gideon's Bible that he received while in the POW Camp.  This small bible was valued by him and throughout his life he referred to it.  No surprise then that he was an active member of the Gideon Society and helped distribute Bibles to others.  He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Shawnee where services will be held.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 11 at First Baptist Church at 11400 Johnson Drive in Shawnee, KS.  There will be a 9:00 AM Visitation followed by a 10:00 AM service at the Church.  Following this, will be a procession to Johnson County Memorial Gardens Cemetery with a full military funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church or to the Gideon Society.