1917
George
2008
George Yonally
May 21, 1917 — November 20, 2008
George Albert (Al) Yonally
Former Roeland Park, Kan. Chief of Police G.A. (Al) Yonally passed away Nov. 20, 2008 at his home. He was 91. He was born on May 21, 1917 in McLough, Kan. to Lillian and Elmer Yonally.
Chief Yonally joined the Roeland Park Police in 1954 as an officer, was elevated to chief in 1961 and served until 1977. During his 16-year tenure, he was named president of the Johnson County Chiefs of Police in
1963 and was elected the first president of the Area Chiefs and Sheriffs Association. While leading these associations, he played an integral role in establishing and was a charter member of the Metropolitan Major
Case Squad, or Metro Squad. To improve the professionalism of the police force, he supported the founding of the Kansas Police Academy, now called the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, in Yoder, Kan., and
he helped secure passage of laws requiring such training for all police officers in the state.
He was an instructor at Johnson County Community College when it started a police training program. He also proudly served as secretary treasurer, vice-president and president of the Kansas Chiefs of Police Association, helping expand membership from a few initially to include most police chiefs in Kansas today. He also was chairman of the State Line Peace Officer's Association. Upon retiring as chief, he worked security at the Westin Crown Center Hotel for 15 years. He liked to say that he took early retirement at age 75.
Chief Yonally was active in the Bar-H-Boys Ranch for underprivileged boys in Nevada, Mo., serving as president and serving on many committees. He was a Scoutmaster, Cub master, and an Explorer Scouts committee member. For many years he was the merit badge instructor in fingerprinting. A life member of the Optimist International, he served as a Lt. Governor in the Kansas District for the Optimist Club. He was a deacon and trustee at Olivet Baptist Church in Westwood, Kan.
Chief Yonally was married 64 years to Alma Jane Mussett who preceded him in Death in 2004. He is survived by his children Nathan Paul Yonally and wife Nancee of Overland Park, Kan., and Martha Jean West and husband Timothy of Lawrence, Kan., seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held 6-8 PM, Monday, Nov. 24 at Olivet Baptist Church, 4901 Mission Road. A funeral service will be 10 AM, Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the church. Burial in Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. The family requests contributions to the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers. Arr: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel 913.451.1860
Former Roeland Park, Kan. Chief of Police G.A. (Al) Yonally passed away Nov. 20, 2008 at his home. He was 91. He was born on May 21, 1917 in McLough, Kan. to Lillian and Elmer Yonally.
Chief Yonally joined the Roeland Park Police in 1954 as an officer, was elevated to chief in 1961 and served until 1977. During his 16-year tenure, he was named president of the Johnson County Chiefs of Police in
1963 and was elected the first president of the Area Chiefs and Sheriffs Association. While leading these associations, he played an integral role in establishing and was a charter member of the Metropolitan Major
Case Squad, or Metro Squad. To improve the professionalism of the police force, he supported the founding of the Kansas Police Academy, now called the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, in Yoder, Kan., and
he helped secure passage of laws requiring such training for all police officers in the state.
He was an instructor at Johnson County Community College when it started a police training program. He also proudly served as secretary treasurer, vice-president and president of the Kansas Chiefs of Police Association, helping expand membership from a few initially to include most police chiefs in Kansas today. He also was chairman of the State Line Peace Officer's Association. Upon retiring as chief, he worked security at the Westin Crown Center Hotel for 15 years. He liked to say that he took early retirement at age 75.
Chief Yonally was active in the Bar-H-Boys Ranch for underprivileged boys in Nevada, Mo., serving as president and serving on many committees. He was a Scoutmaster, Cub master, and an Explorer Scouts committee member. For many years he was the merit badge instructor in fingerprinting. A life member of the Optimist International, he served as a Lt. Governor in the Kansas District for the Optimist Club. He was a deacon and trustee at Olivet Baptist Church in Westwood, Kan.
Chief Yonally was married 64 years to Alma Jane Mussett who preceded him in Death in 2004. He is survived by his children Nathan Paul Yonally and wife Nancee of Overland Park, Kan., and Martha Jean West and husband Timothy of Lawrence, Kan., seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held 6-8 PM, Monday, Nov. 24 at Olivet Baptist Church, 4901 Mission Road. A funeral service will be 10 AM, Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the church. Burial in Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. The family requests contributions to the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers. Arr: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel 913.451.1860
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