Gerald Edwin Partridge, 84, of Grandview, Missouri, passed away on August 6th, surrounded by his loved ones. Here is the beautiful and brief story of our hero.
Gerald was born on October 27th, 1938, to Coy and Norma (Fletcher) Partridge in Yell County, Arkansas. He grew up amongst several aunts, uncles, and cousins in Gould, Arkansas, where his family managed a cotton farm. Gerald’s core values were clear from the start – faith, family, and yes, football. Okay, all sports. He graduated Valedictorian from Gould High School and went on to attend the University of Arkansas in Monticello, where he studied physical education and played football. Upon graduation, he was awarded as the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Scholar Athlete of the year. It was in Monticello where he met the love of his life, Linda (Luebkeman). The two married and relocated to Warrensburg, Missouri as Gerald started his lifelong career as a football coach.
After serving as the graduate assistant coach at Central Missouri State University, he was offered the Head Coach position at Warrensburg High School. In 1966, Gerald and Linda moved to Kansas City to begin his career as the Head Football Coach of Ruskin High School, and eventually the Athletic Director. His strategic mind was always drafting plays, and any nearby napkin became filled with Xs and Os, for the next page of his playbook. While at Ruskin, Gerald taught various classes in addition to his coaching position, but most students remembered him as teaching them to drive. Throughout his career, Gerald was recognized with multiple honors, including membership into the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Greater Kansas City Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Gerald was a devoted member of Hickman Mills Community Christian Church, serving as Elder Emeritus and the Guiding Light Sunday School Teacher for many years.
Our dad was passionate about sports, especially the Chiefs, the Royals, and any team his son, grandson, or granddaughter coached. He tried to attend every game, show, or awards event of his grandchildren, enjoying musicals equally as much as a game. He was a great storyteller, making up stories for his kids and grandkids. The tales of Stinkerville became classics.
He knew someone every place he went, so even a simple trip to the store could turn into a long event as he chatted with them and recounted details of their life to ask about. His patience and kindness were unconditional. And he made the best banana bread, cheesy scrambled eggs, and homemade ice cream in the world.
His was a life well lived. There are no words that can adequately describe what Gerald meant to his family and friends. He impacted hundreds of lives. He made us better, he made life better, and our Hero will carry on through us, as we try to follow the lessons, he taught us and the example he lived.
His greatest accomplishments and proudest roles were that of husband, father, grandfather, and most recently great grandfather.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 63 years, Linda, his son Jerry Partridge (Pam), three daughters, Alecia Partridge, Pam Dean (Adam), and Laura Partridge, four grandchildren, Travis Partridge (Brittany), Lindsey Parks (Zachary), Madison Dean, and Dylan Dean, two great grandchildren, Brighton Parks and Brett Partridge, brother, Cody Partridge (Trish), sister in law, Sandra Partridge, his nephews, Wade Partridge, Clay Partridge, Bill Luebkeman, and David Luebkeman, nieces Paige Hix and Piper Partridge, uncle Joe Fletcher, several cousins, great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Coy and Norma Partridge, brother Lewis Partridge, brother and sister-in-law, Bob and JoAnn Luebkeman, and mother in law, Imogene Luebkeman.
Visitation services will take place on Saturday, August 12th from 4:30pm-6:30pm at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church in Lee’s Summit, MO. A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, August 13th at 1:00 pm at Hickman Mills Community Christian Church in Kansas City, MO. Flowers can be sent to Woods Chapel Church on Friday during the day or Hickman Mills Community Christian Church on Saturday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hickman Mills Community Christian Church or the American Lung Association.
The family extends our gratitude towards his caregivers in his final days. Thank you to everyone who has shared stories over these past days. Your words have brought comfort, smiles, and laughter. Be kind to one another.
