Joseph Vardyan

Joseph N. Vardyan, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2024, surrounded by the loving support of family, and the profound grace of God. Visitation at 9:30 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. will both be on May 23, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Church, 708 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Private burial at Mount Calvary will follow the Mass. The family requests no flowers, and memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church. 

Born October 26, 1933 in Strawberry Hill (Kansas City, Kansas) to parents who emigrated from Croatia, Joseph (Joe) and his twin sister Josephine were two of eight children. As twins, they were the talk of Tenny Avenue and the tight-knit Croatian neighborhood, and they shared an inseparable special bond throughout their lives with Josephine being at Joe's side when he passed. 

Joe attended Wyandotte High School, Donnelly College, and University of Missouri-Kansas City. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and enjoyed his travels internationally with Japan being his favorite country. Upon returning to Kansas City, Joe became a route supervisor for Anheuser-Busch where he proudly worked for decades. A favorite family story is that Joe started bowling at age 13 and by age 15 he was at the head of the field in the annual Bowl-Esta, a tournament with more than 850 entries. A champion bowler at a young age, Joe continued to enjoy the sport as an adult.

Joe never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a charismatic storyteller, loyal friend, dedicated family man, steadfast volunteer, and good Samaritan. Joe served as an usher at Visitation Catholic Church for more than 40 years, and he was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and St. John's Catholic Club. Joe, like his parents and siblings, were dedicated to saving and sustaining St. John's. Service and duty, rather than recognition, is what drove Joe to be supportive to individuals and organizations. 

Joe's greatest joy was spending time with and being a primary caregiver of his family. Over the past five years, he was devoted to taking care of his "baby brother" Kenneth who died on March 31, 2024. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Marko and Anna Vardyan; his siblings Marie, Dorothy, William, Edward, and Kenneth Vardyan; his sister Helen Mahurin and her husband Tom Mahurin; his brother-in-law Henry Tutera (Josephine Tutera); and Mark Flaherty (Tina Tutera Flaherty). Survivors include his sister Josephine Tutera; his niece Tina Tutera Flaherty; his niece Anna Marie Tutera, her husband Caleb Lee Bowman, and their sons Henry and Roman; cousins Carole Roper Vaughan and Theresa Jakesetic; and friends Nick and Carolyn Tomasic. The family extends a special acknowledgement and thank you to Monsignor Robert Gregory for his long-standing friendship and guidance. The family is also grateful to the staff at St. Anthony's Senior Living and the medical teams at University of Kansas Hospital and Research Hospital. 

Joe's family will miss him immensely and will carry with them his generosity, radiant smile, and commitment to God as they savor each day together and take very good care of his beautiful twin sister Josephine.