William Verne McNatt
Wm. Verne McNatt, 96, of Laurie, Missouri, formerly of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 8 at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri.
Verne was born March 23, 1913 in the Rosedale area of Kansas City, Kansas. He moved from Rosedale to Shawnee in 1917 at the age of 4. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Renner on August 24, 1935 in Olathe, Kansas. Verne and Dorothy celebrated 73 years of marriage. Mr. McNatt was an Auto Worker with the General Motors Corporation for 38 years and has been a member of U.A.W. Local #93 since joining in January, 1936. Mr. McNatt held numerous important positions in the health care field. He was appointed to be a representative of the pension and insurance hourly personnel in 1952 and held that position until his retirement in 1973. He spent approximately 18 years on the board of directors of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Kansas City. He also served on the board of Group Health Planning that became the first HMO in the Kansas City area known as Prime Health and served on that board for several years.
Mr. McNatt was a volunteer member of the Shawnee Fire Department. Verne started with the Shawnee Township Department in 1948, then continued his service with the Shawnee Fire Department. He was honored with many positions and in 1976 as Chief of Fire Prevention. Verne held that position until his retirement in 2002.
He leaves his wife Dorothy and their two daughters Barbara Schweiger and Nancy Jewell; two grandsons Kent Schweiger and Derrick Jewell; two granddaughters, Karry Hamilton and Stacey Parsley; 11 great grandchildren 2 step great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and many, many friends.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at the chapel. Burial in Shawnee Cemetery.
Print Obituary & Condolences
Offer Condolence for the family of William Verne McNatt
Messages of Condolence
Please share your thoughts ...
Would you like to order flowers?
If you would like to order flowers please see the selection available at Russell Florist. Click here to see all of the available floral arrangements.
Very Sorry for the loss of such a great person, Vern has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. He will always live on as a mentor and friend.
Vern was an inspiration to many firefighters across the state of Kansas. He was a tremendous asset as a colleague and was way ahead of his time and a leader when it came to espousing the value of fire prevention in the fire service. It was a pleasure and honor to have called him a friend. Bob
I knew Chief McNatt for approximately 35 years. He set the fire service standard for dedication, commitment and integrity. He was a true gentleman.
Verne was a gentleman and a great proponent of Fire Prevention and Fire Service Education when these aspects of the Fire Service were not that popular. We all miss you Verne.
I became acquainted with Verne McNatt 25 years ago through the Firefighter Relief Act meetings and the KSFFA Conferences. He definately had a great influence on the direction that the KSFFA and FRA moved. I think the most memorable thought I have about Vern is at the conferences when the “Verne McNatt, Shawnee” would be stated on every issue by him. Even if he did or did not believe in an issue, he was wanting people to see both sides of the issue so that they could see and better understand the complete discussion from both sides, sometimes playing the devils advocate.
“VERNE MCNATT, SHAWNEE”, you will be missed!!!!!
Work with Verne for many years, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
When Stacey spoke of her grandfather, you could see the love and admiration in her eyes. She was very proud of all his accomplishments. He was an inspiration to her.
Many times she told me stories of Verne and the fire department in Shawnee. How much he loved it–and how good the firefighters were to him after his retirement.
Our prayers are with our daughter-in-law, Stacey, and all the McNatt family. Sincere condolences.
Barbara, I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and your family at this time. I know that you will miss your dad greatly. He did live the good life and had accomplished much during his 96 years on this earth. You were a good daughter to him and continue to be there for you mother. God’s blessings to you and your family.
Marie (Greer) Kersten
Dear Barbara, please accept my condolences on the loss of your father, a great contributor to the community. He had a long and productive life, and he was loved. You and your family are in my prayers.
Cynthia Crone Costell
We am sorry for your loss. I worked with Verne for several years in the Fire Service and enjoyed almost every minute. .Verne truly loved what he did and he will be missed by me and countless others for a long time to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
God bless Chief McNatt. His legacy will endure and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.
When I first met Verne it was clear the business side of the man portrayed “a true professional” .
We had several personal chats over time and I found out he had a genuine side that was quality and I could give him my respect.
To his family, please accept my sincere condolences….
Gene Gould, Chief of Fire Prevention
Independence, Missouri
God be with the family of Vern. I worked with Vern during my years associated with the Kansas Sate Friefighters Assn. He was very respected and will be missed.
Although never easy, we know that your father is in a wonderful place that allows him to enjoy all the rest of his days. The Tindle’s feel blessed to have know your father, but even more importantly we thank God each day for the greatest tribute to your father, you Barbara, and your great family. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. You know we will be there for you and Tom. Finally, I imagine that your dad and my mother are laughing at something mom just said at this very moment. Love, your lake neighbors.
Verne paved the way for someone like me to reach out to my community and make it safer. He was “retired” when I started many years ago but I don’t think Verne was ever truly retired. His passion and experience for fire safety lives on through the lives he touched and the award named for him. I am honored to have been a recipient of the “Verne McNatt Award” and am even more blessed as having received the award from Verne himself. I have the award and the picture of us on my wall and it inspires me daily. We are lucky to have known you, Verne McNatt-Shawnee!
Barbara: Please accept our condolences on the death of your beloved father. Just know that he is in a peaceful place now and you don’t have to worry about him anymore.
Dear Barbara,
Our sincere condolences for your loss. I never had the honor of meeting your father but I’m sure he was a wonderful man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Charles & Emma Thojas
Sorry to learn of the passing of your dad. As I recall, you had moved your parents to Missouri, so they would be closer to you, so you could keep in closer touch with them. Also seems like your dad had Alzheimers, and that your mom’s health was good—just getting around a little slower (aren’t we all). Please accept my sincere conodolences to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Joyce (Garrett) Jonas
Lincoln County Emergency Services would like to extend their condolences on your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Verne was an awesome person and always had his heart in the fire service, we will miss him very much.
Please accept my sympathies for your loss. Verne was a sweetheart and I enjoyed the years I worked with him at the Shawnee Fire Department. He had a mischievious sense of humor and a generous nature, especially when it came to sharing his home grown tomatoes. Verne will always be missed but not forgotten.
My thoughts are with you and your family,
Kelly Brennan
Barbara and family,
I was sorry to learn of your father’s passing. I cannot attend the services, but I wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember all the good times that your folks and my parents shared while living in the Monrovia area of Shawnee. My Dad would always have great stories to tell of the times Vern and my Dad had while volunteering on the Shawnee Fire Dept.
Barbara and Family,
Ryan and I are so sorry for the loss of your Father. Please know that he is in a peaceful place and without a doubt, with wonderful company…We love you so much and are thinking about you.
Love, Ryan and Jessi
Dear Dorothy, Barbara, Tom, Nancy & Family:
I am so glad that Mike and I were blessed to know and be involved in Vern’s life. I, while working at the Fire Department, typing the insurance forms, lists, numbers, etc. came to know that he was a very intelligent, kind person (and a perfectionist in his work). Mike, as a fireman, working with him through the years had such admiration and feeling for him. We were amazed at the many, many hours of work he put in at the fire department with no pay. He gave so much to all of the firemen and was so respected by all of them.
I know that you will miss him but it was time for him to go to a better place. Rest assured that he is Home and will welcome you one day..
I Was so shocked to hear of your dads death as i had just talked to him the day before, he was quite a guy and remarkable for his age. your are so special and were so kind and a wonderful daughter to both your mom and him. there is nothing to say to make losing a parent easy except you were so blessed to have him for 96 years, god bless your family love meredith
Verne was respected by all in the Fire Service Community as a man that stayed true to his principles and values. He was one of my best friends and taught me so much throughout my fire service career. God Bless Verne McNatt.
Barbara,
Meredith told me your dad had passed away. and I am so very sorry. I did not know him, but my heart & prayers go out to you and your family.
Love, Barbara
I am saddened to hear about the passing of your dad Verne. With my deepest condolences. Linda
Barbara, we offer our sympathies to you and your family during these times of sorrow and loss. It is very hard to lose a parent, especially one that is as special as your Dad. He will forever be remembered as tenacious, kind and affable. The loving care, so important to him, that he had for his family should serve always as a beacon of hope and leave many memories for you to cherish.
Dad – we love you and miss you.
To Barbara and Tom, and to Kent and Karry, I hope you’ll accept my condolences for the loss of your father, father-in-law, and your grandfather.
Mike