Joe Allen Felix

Joe Allen Felix, of Smithville, Missouri, affectionately known as "Dad" and “Grandpa Joe”, “Joe from Hobart” and “Honey“ passed away peacefully at home June 8th, 2024.  Joe lived a life of love, laughter, creativity, responsibility, hard work and service.  

Joe was born November 11^th, 1946, in Kansas City, KS to loving parents, Roy William & Mary Louise Felix.  He grew up in the Kansas City, Kansas area and was raised with his five siblings.   He was drafted into the US Army during Vietnam, remaining stateside training other soldiers, an experience he was very proud of.  During his working years, Joe worked at Seal-Rite and Hobart in Lenexa, Kansas for over 33 years.  Joe’s work ethic was unmatched and because of his problem-solving abilities, mechanical ingenuity, and being good with his hands, he was always the one you’d reach out to if you were unsure how to fix or do anything.  He’d always answer his work phone saying, “This is Joe from Hobart” and during that weekend overtime he’d end each call with, “Well, you know she’s overtime?”

Joe was a hardworking man, dedicated to his family, everything he did was for them.  Joe was first married in 1972 and had three children, Kristin, Jim and Steven.  In their early years, the family resided in Mesa, Arizona where Joe also enjoyed and often told stories of the beautiful wilderness and hunting he experienced in the Arizona mountains and desert.  After relocating back to Missouri, the children were raised in Smithville, Missouri.  In his later years, love found him when he met and married Linn Rice of Kansas City, Missouri.  Their story is one described as a loving and steadfast dedication to each other, family and to friends.  Moments filled with laughter, quiet mornings together, cherished and countless hours of playing board games and cards with each other and their close friends.

Joe was always good at working with his hands.  He was an accomplished and skilled woodworker, always appreciating the challenge of craftsmanship, designing a new project, learning a new skill and always seeking that next “oohh wow” when he created something with his own hands.  He loved his home, a constant circus of projects and renovations.  He loved the outdoors.  Fishing, hunting and his beloved mushroom hunting season was not only a cherished pastime, but a rite of passage passed down to the next generation.  He always had a story about Stranger Crick, shenanigans from when he was a kid and his beloved mother’s cooking.

Joe is preceded in death by his loving parents, Roy William & Mary Louise Felix. He is survived by his loving wife, Linn Felix, daughter Kristin Herron (Tommy), son Jim Felix (Angela), and son Steven Felix, brother-in-law Andrew Rice, nine grandchildren: Anna McElhany, Tommy Herron Jr., Tyler Herron, Madison Felix, Nick Felix and Cole Felix, August Felix, Lillian Felix and Audrey Felix.

Joe is also survived by five siblings; Linda Johnson, Billy Felix, Mark Felix, Phillip Felix and Keith Felix.

Through his final struggles, his will was iron and could not be bent.  “I’m not a give-er-upper” was his mantra and through insurmountable odds his will never wavered.  During his life, when he was faced with its difficulties, heartbreak and heartache he kept moving forward.  This is just part of his lasting legacy; never give up, never lower yourself to others’ behaviors.  While he was, like all others, not perfect, he always found a way to right the course and encouraged others to do as well.  Joe’s beloved wife, Linn Felix stood fast by his side for the entirety of their relationship, marriage and through to the very end through his long and difficult battle.  Joe thanked her every day for being the reason he was able to remain in the battle for so long.  She was his angel.