Warwick J. “Rick” Best

Warwick J. "Rick" Best, 65, of Shawnee, Kansas, went to be with the Lord Monday, October 1, 2012.

Rick was born on April 5, 1947, in Washington, D.C. to William and Marian Best who reside in Williamsburg, Virginia. He graduated high school in Westfield, New Jersey, and earned a B.S. degree from Dayton University in Dayton, Ohio, in 1969. Rick was previously married twice and married Caroline Mathies of Shawnee, Kansas, on December 9, 1995.

Rick worked for Bell Atlantic and AT&T in New Jersey and in Maryland before moving to Kansas City as a contract employee in 1994.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jeffrey W. Best. Rick leaves behind his wife, Caroline; son, Jeffrey Best and his wife, Janna; parents, William F. and Marian E. Best; brothers, Michael and Peter Best; sisters, Kerry Johnson and Leslie Rich; and seven nieces and nephews. Rick was step-father to Darrin Devinney and his wife, Laura of El Dorado, Kansas, and Angie Devinney Schenk and her husband, Bryan, of Great Bend, Kansas, and five grandchildren. Rick believed that these step-children and step-grandchildren were as much his as they were Caroline’s and he loved them all, both the Best families and the Devinney families.

Rick was a faithful church member in every place he lived and enjoyed participating in choir, church plays, and other activities that were church related.

The last several years, Rick was frequently seen riding his scooter along various Shawnee streets near his residence. He always had a big smile and didn’t hesitate to talk to people along his way. He befriended people, children, dogs, and anyone willing to talk to him. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and he will be greatly missed. He’s singing in the choir in Heaven now and loving every minute there.

Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m., Friday, October 5, 2012, at the Amos Family Funeral Home & Crematory. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2012, at the Shawnee Bible Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to Midwest Transplant Network or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.