1928
Mr.
2015
Mr. Jack Steadman
September 14, 1928 — July 5, 2015
JACK W. STEADMAN
Jack W. Steadman, 86, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2015.
Jack was born September 14, 1928, to Vera and Walter Steadman, and lived his early childhood in Warrenville, Illinois, before moving to Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from high school. He attended Baylor University and received his B.A. in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.
After graduating from SMU, Jack went to work for Hunt Oil Company in Dallas, which is where he got acquainted with Lamar Hunt. When Lamar founded the AFL, he asked Jack to join him. He then was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager in '66, in August of '76 he was named President of the Chiefs; and in '89 was named Chairman of the Board. He retired in 2005 as Vice Chairman of the Board.
Jack was the only individual other than Lamar Hunt who was involved with the Texans/Chiefs franchise every year since its inception in '60, and at the time of retirement had served 47 years with Lamar Hunt and professional football.
It was Jack Steadman who conceived the idea of building the dual Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, which is still recognized as the finest of its kind in the world.
After establishing himself as an innovative, successful business man with the Chiefs, Jack later joined Lamar in the development of Worlds of Fun, a 165-acre family entertainment complex which opened in '73. In '82 HME Entertainment, Inc. completed the 60-acre family water recreation park, Oceans of Fun. In '95, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun were sold to Cedar Fair.
In addition to serving as Chairman of the Chiefs and Hunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc., which owns Hunt Midwest Mining and Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development Company, Jack also served as the Chairman of the NFL Employees Benefit Committee and NFL Investment Committee.
Jack was a tireless worker and organizer in many civic and service projects. He was past Chairman, President and Campaign Chairman of the Heart of America United Way and past President of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. He is a past Chairman and Board Member of the Private Industry Council as well as the Full Employment Council. He served as a director of the American Royal Association and was a past President of Starlight Theater and served with their board since 1972, and as President of the Board from 1983-85. Jack served on the Board of Directors for Children's Mercy Hospital, and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. In 1988 he was honored by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City as the "Kansas Citian of the Year." In 1986 Starlight Theatre honored Jack with the Star Award for Distinguished service to the Arts. In 2011 Starlight awarded him the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his commitment to the Theatre.
Jack is survived by his wife, Judy, and children Tom Steadman of Fairway, KS, Barbara Selders of Prairie Village, Don and wife, Julie, of Waco, TX, step-children, Michelle Atkinson and husband Rich of Smithville, and Dustin Tewksbury of Independence, 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, his sister, Jean, and parents.
Services for Jack Steadman will be held at First Baptist Raytown, 10500 East 350 Highway, Raytown, Missouri at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 10. A reception will follow the service in the Atrium at the church. Contributions in memory of Jack can be made to Raytown Baptist's Christmas Pageant or City Union Mission.
Jack W. Steadman, 86, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2015.
Jack was born September 14, 1928, to Vera and Walter Steadman, and lived his early childhood in Warrenville, Illinois, before moving to Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from high school. He attended Baylor University and received his B.A. in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.
After graduating from SMU, Jack went to work for Hunt Oil Company in Dallas, which is where he got acquainted with Lamar Hunt. When Lamar founded the AFL, he asked Jack to join him. He then was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager in '66, in August of '76 he was named President of the Chiefs; and in '89 was named Chairman of the Board. He retired in 2005 as Vice Chairman of the Board.
Jack was the only individual other than Lamar Hunt who was involved with the Texans/Chiefs franchise every year since its inception in '60, and at the time of retirement had served 47 years with Lamar Hunt and professional football.
It was Jack Steadman who conceived the idea of building the dual Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, which is still recognized as the finest of its kind in the world.
After establishing himself as an innovative, successful business man with the Chiefs, Jack later joined Lamar in the development of Worlds of Fun, a 165-acre family entertainment complex which opened in '73. In '82 HME Entertainment, Inc. completed the 60-acre family water recreation park, Oceans of Fun. In '95, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun were sold to Cedar Fair.
In addition to serving as Chairman of the Chiefs and Hunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc., which owns Hunt Midwest Mining and Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development Company, Jack also served as the Chairman of the NFL Employees Benefit Committee and NFL Investment Committee.
Jack was a tireless worker and organizer in many civic and service projects. He was past Chairman, President and Campaign Chairman of the Heart of America United Way and past President of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. He is a past Chairman and Board Member of the Private Industry Council as well as the Full Employment Council. He served as a director of the American Royal Association and was a past President of Starlight Theater and served with their board since 1972, and as President of the Board from 1983-85. Jack served on the Board of Directors for Children's Mercy Hospital, and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. In 1988 he was honored by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City as the "Kansas Citian of the Year." In 1986 Starlight Theatre honored Jack with the Star Award for Distinguished service to the Arts. In 2011 Starlight awarded him the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his commitment to the Theatre.
Jack is survived by his wife, Judy, and children Tom Steadman of Fairway, KS, Barbara Selders of Prairie Village, Don and wife, Julie, of Waco, TX, step-children, Michelle Atkinson and husband Rich of Smithville, and Dustin Tewksbury of Independence, 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, his sister, Jean, and parents.
Services for Jack Steadman will be held at First Baptist Raytown, 10500 East 350 Highway, Raytown, Missouri at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 10. A reception will follow the service in the Atrium at the church. Contributions in memory of Jack can be made to Raytown Baptist's Christmas Pageant or City Union Mission.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mr. Jack Steadman, please visit our flower store.