Louis Silks, Jr

Louis A. Silks, Jr. was born August 15, 1927, in
Salina, Kansas, and died February 2, 2010, at his home in
Shawnee, Kansas. Education: Paseo High School, graduated
1943; University of Kansas, B.A. 1948; L.L.B. 1950; J.D.
1968. He was a member of the Bounders Fraternity at the
University of Kansas City. Military service: He served in
the U.S.Navy 1944-1946 aboard the USB Rigel.
Lou was a well-known attorney in both Kansas and
Missouri, partnering in early years with his brother,
Laurence B. Silks. He maintained a busy practice in both
Kansas and Missouri until he died. He had served as
attorney for Shawnee Township and incorporated the Shawnee
Township Fire District. He incorporated the City of Merriam
in 1951, serving as city attorney and prosecutor for 12
years; served pro tem judge and special counsel for
Westwood and Westwood Hills; city attorney for Piper for 3
years, municipal judge for 2 years, and counsel for the
Merriam Drainage District for 40 years. He was a member of
Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, the Kansas, Missouri,
Johnson County, and Kansas City Metropolitan Bar
Associations.
He loved boating and owned several properties at the
Lake of the Ozarks with membership in LOYA there and the
Kansas City Power Squadron until his death.
He was a staunch and indefatigable defender of his
clients, a loving and faithful friend, and a devoted family
man, survived by daughters Susan Adele Silks DeWitt,
husband Ronnie, and a grandson Clayton E. Bailey, III, and
Sara Lou Silks Hincks, husband Barry, and granddaughter
Erica, and son Louis A. Silks, III, wife Valerie, and 3
grandchildren, Andrew, Nicole and Emily, and his faithful
friend 'and partner in all his efforts, Sally Gnaegy.
“It is finished and the strong man sleeps." Christina
Rossetti.

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