1951
Kenneth
2007
Kenneth Shopen
June 22, 1951 — January 14, 2007
Ken Shopen slipped peacefully to his final home early Sunday morning. Ken will be remembered by friends and loved ones as a great father, husband and son, as well a born salesman following his father Robert Shopen and grandfather Cecil Shopen (both predeceased). With them, in the 1980's, he generously donated his time and skills as auctioneer for the Kansas City Heart Auction and the Fireside Committee of K.C.A.I. He made friends instantly and was endeared by people from all walks of life. Ken's enthusiasm as a very young man led him to shake hands with several of our Presidents. He was active in Republican politics including advanced staff work for President Gerald Ford?s 1976 campaign and brief work for President Ronald Reagan.
Ken was a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High school and several times a small Business owner. Ken also worked for Telrad Telecommunications, where he held the position of Central Regional Manager, and he later took multiple honors as salesman of the year at Altell.
He leaves many who will miss him greatly including his wife Priscilla Stephens-Shopen, daughter Allison, mother Jeanne Whyte-Shopen, aunt Clarabeth Whyte-Moore, sister Cecile and brother Frank (and wife Peggy Spear-Shopen), as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins.
?Ken's philosophy: show people that you care about them as people -- not just as a means to an end -- and they will return the favor. Ken is successful not because he has a gimmick, but because customers see him as the type of person they want to do business with, and so they do.? (Quoted from "The Popcorn Man" ? 1997 Scott A. Clark).
A celebration of his life will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 18, at Christ Church, 91st and Nall. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church, 5500 W. 91st St., Overland Park, Kansas 66207 or St. Martin?s in The Field Episcopal Church, Rt. 1, Edwardsville, Kansas 66111.
Ken was a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High school and several times a small Business owner. Ken also worked for Telrad Telecommunications, where he held the position of Central Regional Manager, and he later took multiple honors as salesman of the year at Altell.
He leaves many who will miss him greatly including his wife Priscilla Stephens-Shopen, daughter Allison, mother Jeanne Whyte-Shopen, aunt Clarabeth Whyte-Moore, sister Cecile and brother Frank (and wife Peggy Spear-Shopen), as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins.
?Ken's philosophy: show people that you care about them as people -- not just as a means to an end -- and they will return the favor. Ken is successful not because he has a gimmick, but because customers see him as the type of person they want to do business with, and so they do.? (Quoted from "The Popcorn Man" ? 1997 Scott A. Clark).
A celebration of his life will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 18, at Christ Church, 91st and Nall. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church, 5500 W. 91st St., Overland Park, Kansas 66207 or St. Martin?s in The Field Episcopal Church, Rt. 1, Edwardsville, Kansas 66111.
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