Warren G. Plumb, 88
Warren G. Plumb, 88, left this world to be with the Lord Jesus just as the sun was rising on the morning of July 19, 2012. He died peacefully at home.
Warren was born on Jan. 14, 1924, in Ava, Mo., to Rev. George Washington Plumb and Lenora (Jenkins) Plumb.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Kenneth O., Joseph Charles, Chester Lloyd, and George Washington; his sisters, Dorothy Plumb, Evangeline Page, Virginia Ruth Schooler; sisters-in-law, Daisie Plumb, Marge Plumb, Ferne Hines, Ruth Standish; and brothers-in-law, Voyne Brooke, Raymond Page, Ray Schooler, Victor Standish, and Victor Hollinger.
He is survived by sisters, Georgia Rodenhauser and Wilma Pauline Brooke; sisters-in-law, Betty Plumb and Nancy Hollinger; brother-in-law, Richard Hollinger, and numerous nephews and nieces. Warren is also survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Nancy Jane Plumb; his son, Greg Plumb (Michele); daughter, Patricia Mae Plumb; grandchildren, Heather Plumb and Andrew Plumb (Krissy); and his great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Rose Plumb.
During World War II, from 1944-1946, Warren served in U.S. Navy, in the Personnel Office Naval Mine Warfare Test Station. Later, he was called back to serve in the Korean War, from 1951-1952 on the U.S.S. Chloris, in charge of ship’s office.
Warren earned his B.S. in business administration-University of Missouri at Columbia with a major in Personnel and Industrial Management. He later served in leadership positions with the MU Alumni Association.
From 1952-1958, Warren worked as territory manager for U.S. Rubber Company, St. Louis, Mo., while making his family’s home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. While in Cape Girardeau, Warren led initiatives to build neighborhood baseball fields and a swimming pool. Warren was baptized at the Christian Church and made his confession of faith in Jesus Christ. From 1958-1983, Plumb was a sales representative for Dean Machinery Company, Kansas City, Mo. During 1983-1989, Plumb served as executive-secretary for the Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association. He also sold commercial real estate through Johnson Realty.
His many outstanding accomplishments included working with Bureau of Mines, P & M Coal Co. and contractor, helped to develop high volume earthmoving methods for reclamation purposes in mine spoil, a 48 ft. dozer blade to fit on two Model D-9 Caterpillar tractors (known as side by side tractors). This concept was quite revolutionary to reclamation.
Warren was active in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), serving as a deacon and elder, and in leadership positions with Christian Men’s Fellowship. He was also active in Gideons International, a Bible placement program, for 35 years.
Warren served as a charter member in organizing and developing the Platte County Business and Professional Association to a 1,000-member group. As past-president of the “BPA,” he was selected “Citizen of the Year” in 1982. Jan. 15, 1983, was named Warren G. Plumb Day by Kansas City for his outstanding work in developing Tiffany Springs Park. Plumb worked with Jenkin David to establish the Parkville Farmer’s Market at English Landing in May 1984. Warren was a Mid-Continent Public Library-appointed trustee for 20 years, serving nine years as president during an eight year, $22 million building program, buying sites and building buildings for 25-28 branches. Warren participated with others from Mo-Ark Basin Flood control and Conservation Association in lobbying in Washington, D.C. for funding for Corps of Engineer projects in Kansas City area. He met with both Senate and House sub-committees on public works.
He was instrumental in championing the development of Smithville Lake.
Warren was elected to a three-year term on the Park Hill R-5 School district serving as president. During his tenure, Plumb was instrumental with two other community leaders to push for Congress Avenue to be built for safe travels for the students at Park Hill High School on Barry Road.
Warren was a volunteer leader for the Boy Scouts of America, serving as both district chairman and district commissioner, among a number of positions. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Heart of America Council for his volunteer work. He was a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.
Warren was a man of the Christian faith and heard from God early in the morning at 3 a.m. for the visions that God placed on his heart to accomplish. Warren was a visionary who completed the tasks to the end. Due to his persistence, Platte County will be forever changed due to his initiative, compassion and leadership, as well as all those who knew him and loved him. He lived up to his name, “straight, sure and on the level like a plumbline.”
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Monday, July 23, at Barry Christian Church, Kansas City. Visitation was Sunday, July 22, at Cashatt Family Funerals Platte Woods Chapel, Platte Woods, Mo. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Barry Christian Church, the Heart of America Council, BSA, or the University of Missouri-Columbia Scholarship Fund.
