Muehlebach Funeral Care Obituary
Live stream on Saturday, October 24, 2020 can be found at this link https://www.facebook.com/MuehlebachFuneralCare
The live stream will not start until we begin recording. We will start the live stream as soon as the service starts around 12:00 pm. If you don't see the live stream around 12 pm you may have to refresh your page until we start recording.
Kevin Harris was born November 25, 1968 in Pittsburgh, PA to Cornelius and Alene Harris. He peacefully and unexpectedly departed this life on Monday, October 19, 2020.
Kevin attended Penn Hills Senior High School in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated Salutatorian, Summa Cum Laude from Howard University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Actuarial Science in 1990.
He attended the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota as a full academic graduate fellow and in 1993, graduated Summa Cum Laude with an MBA in Finance, all while working full-time, studying and taking Actuarial Exams.
Kevin was an avid jazz lover as well as a self-proclaimed epicurean. He enjoyed, and was proud of, his participation in the annual KC's American Royal BBQ competition. Kevin was referred to many times as a “deep thinker” possessing a significant thirst for knowledge and relished in reading books of various subject matters.
Most considered him to be an old soul - wise beyond his years. He had a way of broadening one’s mind, to dig deep, to force you think, whilst guiding you to make the most favorable and informed decision on your own, without merely spoon feeding you his advice. He brought joy to everyone he met in some way.
Kevin was a loving and devoted family man. Being a sincere and reliable friend to many, Kevin would always lend a helping hand with whatever was needed to whomever needed it wearing a warm smile.
Kevin was also an active leader in a range of civic, community and volunteer organizations. Co-Owner - The New Dime Store in Brookside, Local Advisory Board Member, Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, Fund Development Chair - Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Kansas City, Board Member - Operation Breakthrough, Board Member, Chairperson, Fundraising Co-Chair, Board Development Chair, Finance Committee - Kansas City Young Audiences, Board Member, Treasurer - UMKC Friends of the Conservatory, Chapter Vice President, Life Member - National Black MBA Association (Twin Cities Chapter), Mentor - Jack and Jill Rites of Passage, Mentor - YMCA Black Achievers, Advisory Board Member, Intern School Fundraising Chair - Howard University Center for Insurance Education, Participant - African/African American Summit - Dakar Senegal, Volunteer Teaching Assistant Project 2000 - Stranton Elementary School, Participant - Kansas City Tomorrow, Participant - Leadership Minneapolis
Kevin was proceeded in death by his father Cornelius Harris. He is survived by his loving mother, Alene Harris, wife, Kimberly Swan Harris, daughter, Kaari Laniece Swan, grandson, Novah Mehki Swan-Ward, sister, Kimberly Harris, niece, Amber Nicole Harris (Pittsburgh, PA) sister and brother in law Cassandra and Jeff Robinson, nieces/nephew Jassandra Michelle Robinson, Jaila Marche Robinson Jeffrey Randall Robinson II (Minneapolis, MN) as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of close friends and business associates.
From The Kansas Star Newspaper:
Kevin Harris
November 25, 1968 - October 19, 2020
Kansas City, Missouri - Kevin Neal Harris, 51, of Kansas City, MO. Passed away on October 19, 2020. Visitation will be Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by services at 12 p.m., at Muehlebach Funeral Care, 6800 Troost Ave., KCMO. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Autism Speaks or ALS Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family and a link for the live stream of the service can be found at MuehlebachChapel.com.
From echovita:
Kevin Harris Obituary
Here is Kevin Harris’s obituary. Please accept Echovita’s sincere condolences.
It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Kevin Harris (Kansas City, Missouri), who passed away at the age of 51, on October 19, 2020. Family and friends can light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Kevin Harris to show support.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24th 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Muehlebach Funeral Home (6800 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131). A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 24th 2020 at 12:00 PM at the same location.
The Family requests in lieu of flowers to make a memorial contribution in Kevin's name to Autism Speaks: 9200 Olive Blvd. Suite 202 St. Louis, MO 63132- http://www.autismspeaks.org.
Carla Smith (Butts)
I am so very sorry to hear about Kevin's passing. He was a very good friend of my brother Tilmon and he will be missed by my entire extended family.
Carla Butts
Eric Jones
My heart truly sank when I saw this. Kevin was a good friend - and a good leader. I know he was a leader, because I wanted to follow him. In addition to being a fellow INROADER, I had the opportunity to serve with Kevin as leader in "IPSA" (INROADS Pittsburgh Student Association). It's been said that the mark of a good man is that their presence causes a situation or environment to improve - simply because they were there. I think that applies to Kevin. Whatever he touched, he made better. He made me better. He made INROADS better. He made the world better.
Sean Ryan
Kevin was an outstanding man from his younger days to his mature days. He was a guy who always seemed to have everything together. I admired him from the first day I met him. He was a great leader, great mentor, great person. I will miss him and look back fondly on our interaction back in the day. Rest in peace, sir. It was a pleasure getting to know you.
Saeeda Hafiz
The funeral service on Facebook actually was an intimate experience. It was great to hear that post our INROADS internship Kevin continued his leadership and authentic connections with new and established friends. Kevin had a genuine way of seeing the individual. I always admired that about him. My heart breaks that his time with us was so short. Rest in Peace and in Power! I know that all who knew him will honor his legacy and continue the profound work of improving upon the world wherever he/she/they may reside. Much love to all.
James Baldwin
Kevin was a fun, engaging, intelligent and driven human being. You always knew when he was in the room. I was definitely saddened to hear of his passing. We need more people like Kevin in this world and it is a shame to lose him so early. God bless him and his family and may they be comforted knowing that numerous people thought very highly of him.