Kenneth Scherrer

Kenneth Charles Scherrer, Jr, age 81, of Lenexa, KS, died of heart failure on May 6, 2019. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm on May 10 at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, OP KS, 66210. The funeral will be at 2:00 pm at the same location.

Ken was born on February 24, 1938, in Tulsa, OK. He spent his childhood in St. Louis, MO, where he won the citywide science fair and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He began college at Washington University. He later transferred to KU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and met his future wife, Sylvia Vandever.

After college, he served in the National Guard. While working full-time and raising a young family, he earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from UMKC. He later moved to Butler, MO, where he owned and managed a hardware store. He experimented with different business models and eventually opened Ken’s Furniture & Appliance.

After selling his furniture business, Ken and Sylvia traveled to 49 out of 50 states and many foreign countries. They later retired to Lakeview Village.

He had many interests—bluegrass, ragtime and classical music; stamp collecting; photography; games of skill or strategy like bridge, Monopoly and pool; reading mysteries, suspense novels, and books on popular science. He especially loved playing the stock market. Throughout his life, Ken made many friends. He will be missed.

Ken is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia; his daughter Tera and grandchildren David and Becca Dereberry; his daughter, Karen (Tim) Heinz, and grandchildren Jessi, Mathew and Nathan; and his daughter, Ilene (Quentin) Hurst, and grandchildren Garrhett, Cecily, Jack and Corey.

Ken spent many years as a caregiver for his wife Sylvia, who is living with Alzheimer’s. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to
KU Endowment – KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
c/o Lindsay Hummer
Mail Stop 3012
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160.