1914
Ervin
2014
Ervin Wimple
August 15, 1914 — November 19, 2014
Ervin W. “Bones” Wimple, age 100, died at his home on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. He was born in Kingston, Missouri on August 15, 1914 to the late Wayne and Emma Bugg Wimple.
Ervin Walter Wimple, known to his friends and family as “Bones”, “Wimp”, or “The Senator”, passed away at the age of 100 on November 19, 2014, after a very full and very happy life. He was a well-known figure in the Northland, having owned and operated the Golfland Driving Range at 95th and North Oak from 1954 to 2007. Going to dinner with Mr. Wimple was like dining with a rock star -- people of all ages would come over to the table to say “hi” or otherwise pass the time of day.
Soon after his birth, his parents decided to resettle in Canada . They got as far north as St. Joe, where Bones lost his mother in the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.
Bones left home at an early age, when only 12 -- a rebellious and strong-willed young man determined to make his way in the world. Although he tried to finish high school while living on the streets, it didn’t happen. But Bones was smart and resourceful, and began to earn his living in the liquor and gambling industries in St. Joe, Omaha, and Las Vegas. He also spent some time during and after the Second World War as a welder, a cab driver, a trucker, and a chauffeur. He ran with a rough crowd sometimes, and had several “close calls.” But he never forgot his family or his friends, and was always there for anyone asking for help. He was able to survive, and even prosper, supporting others in a struggling economy.
He married Delma Dorene Ladd, and his one and only child was born, Sondra Kaye. He was proud of her education and accomplishments, but only bragged on her in her absence. He was the owner and golf pro at the Golfland Driving Range for more than 50 years. He holds the record for being the longest single owner of a driving range in the United States.
In 1954, Ervin Wimple bought the land that was to become Golfland Driving Range at 95th Street and North Oak Trafficway. He built the structures, erected and wired the floodlights, and ran the driving range until he was 93 years old. He met the love of his life, Mary Frances Williams and they married, and had a long and happy life together before she died in 2007. Along the way, he “raised” many a young boy who would hang around the driving range into fine young men with strong work ethics. As Bones prospered, he was able to help many friends and family members in times of need.
Ervin Walter Wimple was a force of nature. He wanted to thank his daughter Sondra, and his caregiver Tom Moore. We will all miss him.
He was a longtime resident of the northland area.
He leaves behind his daughter Sondra Wimple of Kansas City; grandson, Don Bowlin. great-granddaughters Faith and Candace and one Great-Great-granddaughter Layla and his dear friend and caretaker Thomas Moore.
In addition to his parents, Ervin is preceded in death by his wife Mary Frances Wimple who died in 2007 and several other family members.
Visitation will be Monday, November 24, 2014 from 10 AM until time of service at 11 AM at Terrace Park Funeral Home & Cemetery’s Lake Side Chapel 801 NW 108th Street, (169 Hwy & Shoal Creek), Kansas City. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.
Ervin Walter Wimple, known to his friends and family as “Bones”, “Wimp”, or “The Senator”, passed away at the age of 100 on November 19, 2014, after a very full and very happy life. He was a well-known figure in the Northland, having owned and operated the Golfland Driving Range at 95th and North Oak from 1954 to 2007. Going to dinner with Mr. Wimple was like dining with a rock star -- people of all ages would come over to the table to say “hi” or otherwise pass the time of day.
Soon after his birth, his parents decided to resettle in Canada . They got as far north as St. Joe, where Bones lost his mother in the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.
Bones left home at an early age, when only 12 -- a rebellious and strong-willed young man determined to make his way in the world. Although he tried to finish high school while living on the streets, it didn’t happen. But Bones was smart and resourceful, and began to earn his living in the liquor and gambling industries in St. Joe, Omaha, and Las Vegas. He also spent some time during and after the Second World War as a welder, a cab driver, a trucker, and a chauffeur. He ran with a rough crowd sometimes, and had several “close calls.” But he never forgot his family or his friends, and was always there for anyone asking for help. He was able to survive, and even prosper, supporting others in a struggling economy.
He married Delma Dorene Ladd, and his one and only child was born, Sondra Kaye. He was proud of her education and accomplishments, but only bragged on her in her absence. He was the owner and golf pro at the Golfland Driving Range for more than 50 years. He holds the record for being the longest single owner of a driving range in the United States.
In 1954, Ervin Wimple bought the land that was to become Golfland Driving Range at 95th Street and North Oak Trafficway. He built the structures, erected and wired the floodlights, and ran the driving range until he was 93 years old. He met the love of his life, Mary Frances Williams and they married, and had a long and happy life together before she died in 2007. Along the way, he “raised” many a young boy who would hang around the driving range into fine young men with strong work ethics. As Bones prospered, he was able to help many friends and family members in times of need.
Ervin Walter Wimple was a force of nature. He wanted to thank his daughter Sondra, and his caregiver Tom Moore. We will all miss him.
He was a longtime resident of the northland area.
He leaves behind his daughter Sondra Wimple of Kansas City; grandson, Don Bowlin. great-granddaughters Faith and Candace and one Great-Great-granddaughter Layla and his dear friend and caretaker Thomas Moore.
In addition to his parents, Ervin is preceded in death by his wife Mary Frances Wimple who died in 2007 and several other family members.
Visitation will be Monday, November 24, 2014 from 10 AM until time of service at 11 AM at Terrace Park Funeral Home & Cemetery’s Lake Side Chapel 801 NW 108th Street, (169 Hwy & Shoal Creek), Kansas City. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.
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