Gail Hartgrove

Gail Eugene Hartgrove went to be with the Lord peacefully on June 16, 2010 as a result of pulmonary hypertension and lung disease. He was born in Springfield, Ohio on November 11, 1938. He moved to Longview, Washington as a young child and grew into manhood where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Gerrits, on June 28, 1958.
After graduating from R.A. Long High School in 1956, his love for theatre took him to study acting in Pasenda, California at the Pasenda Playhouse. He continued acting locally in community theatre in Longview and many years later in Kansas at the Buddy Rogers Playhouse.
Gail worked in building materials and the lumber industry. He began his career with International Paper Company, Long Bell Division in 1962 working in sales in Oklahoma City, Wichita, and eventually Kansas City. He retired from International Paper in 1990. He began working for Kansas City Building Supply in 1991 and officially retired in 2004.
Gail was an avid sports fan and especially loved cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Royals. This year he began following the Baylor Bears since his "Little One" was now attending college there. Gail had a very special bond with his only granddaughter and despite his health issues was determined to see the Baylor campus. With perseverance he was able to meet his goal and successfully complete the ten hour journey to Waco the first of May.
Gail thoroughly enjoyed people and always acknowledged the preciousness of others offering support and unconditional love. His sense of humor and kind heart brought a smile to many. Above all else, he cherished spending time with his children and granddaughter patiently offering advice and encouragement, always ready to cheer them on at whatever activity they pursued.
Those left to honor Gail's memory include his devoted wife, Sharon Hartgrove of Olathe,KS; son, David Hartgrove of Overland Park, KS; daughter, Suzanne Lynn and her husband Mike of Olathe, KS; granddaughter, Shannon Lynn; brother-in-law John Gerrits and his wife Karen of Olympia, WA and other family members as well as many close friends. Gail was preceded in death by his mother, Francis Hurlburt; his step-father Earl Hurlburt; and his brother, Ron Hartgrove.
We would like to thank the doctors at Consultants in Pulmonary Care at Olathe Medical Center and Dr. Cassandra McKarnin for their loving care. Our family would also like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses in the critical care unit at KU Med for the wonderful, compassionate care they provided during Gail's final days. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church or OCTA (Olathe Community Theater Association.) P.O. Box 144 Olathe, KS 66051.
A rosary will be said Friday, June 18 at 5:00P.M. at the funeral home.