Kenneth E. Vardyan

Kenneth E. Vardyan, 86, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, surrounded by the compassionate support of family and caregivers, 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 April 6, 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 January 12, 1938 in Strawberry Hill (Kansas City, Kansas) to parents who emigrated from Croatia, Kenneth was the youngest of eight children. He was an avid life-long learner who loved academia. He worked very hard to advance his education and scholarship while advocating for individuals who shared his experience of being partially sighted. Kenneth graduated from Rockhurst College in 1960 with a BA in History and English, from Kansas City University in 1962 with an MA in History and Government, and from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1970 with an MA in French and Education. Kenneth spoke several languages and enjoyed traveling and studying in Washington, D.C. and Paris, France. After working for the Internal Revenue Service, Kenneth made Columbia, Missouri his home, moving there in 1980 to work at the University of Missouri in computer programming, analysis, and software development. He enjoyed a meaningful and accomplished career at the University, and when he retired and returned to Kansas City, his priority and greatest joy was spending time with his large family and caring for his siblings. 

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Marko and Anna Vardyan; his siblings Marie, Dorothy, Bill, and Ed 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 siblings Josephine Tutera and Joseph Vardyan; 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 Jaksetic; and friends Nick and Carolyn Tomasic. The family extends a special acknowledgement and thank you to Monsignor Robert Gregory for his longstanding friendship and guidance. The family is also grateful to Interim HealthCare including the exceptional compassion, patience, and support of primary care provider Latonia (Shell) Nolen and her husband Mark as well as hospice nurses Shelbie Cox and Cheryl Shiley. Kenneth's family will miss him immensely and will carry with them his kindness, wisdom, courage, generosity, and devotion to his faith.