J.R. Metzen

James Rodney Metzen “JR” died February 26, 2021 with his family at his home. A wake and rosary will be held at St. Margaret of Scotland Church on Thursday at 6 p.m. and the funeral will be on Friday at 10 a.m., also at STMOS.  Both will be live-streamed at www.stmos.org for those unable to attend in person due to COVID capacity restrictions.

A celebration of life will follow the funeral at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge at 914 NW Main St, Lee’s Summit, Mo. 64086 for all friends and family wishing to share condolences, stories, and memories of JR.  Graveside committal will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Osborne Cemetery in Mayfield with a celebration of life at the Mayfield Community Center immediately following and all are welcome to attend.  Casual dress with KU colors or golf attire encouraged for Mayfield gatherings.

Please observe social distancing at all gatherings.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for his daughters at Venmo account @Chrystal-Metzen or contact the family for an address to send physical donations.

JR was born in Wellington on October 15, 1979, to Ron and Linda Metzen on the first Monday of the MLB World Series.  He roamed the streets in the big city of Mayfield with siblings Nathan, Nikki, and Jennifer, and many lifelong friends.  He graduated from Wellington in 1998 and moved to Kansas City following and continued to develop and enjoy close friendships with so many throughout his lifetime.  One of JR’s greatest accomplishments was graduating from Kansas University with his Master’s degree.  Always a “numbers guy,” he began work in call centers, where he developed his talents in research, strategic planning, and decision making.

JR and Chrystal married on April 8, 2011, and together raised three incredible kids, Malia, Madeline, and Marissa.  He loved being a “girl dad” and taught his girls patience, to have fun, tell a great story, focus on the long game, and not to settle for the easy joke.  He loved his girls beyond measure; they were his greatest joy.

He was an incredible father, husband, and friend, and taught others not to take life too seriously.  JR shared his quick wit and great humor, loved smoking BBQ and spending time with friends and family with a silver soda, and all things sports, especially KU, Chiefs, Royals, and PGA.  We would be remiss not to mention that he was the 2007 Knights of Columbus Bowling State Champion and earned second place in the First Annual Lakewood BBQ Competition.

JR fought a year long battle with rare cancer and did not give up, even to the end.  He left this earth surrounded by those who loved him most as we shared our favorite memories with him.  The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude and thanks to St. Croix Hospice for the compassionate care that JR received, especially from Kathy, Melissa, and Carla.

He is survived by loving wife Chrystal; daughters Malia, Madeline, and Marissa; parents Ron and Linda of Mayfield, KS; brother Nathan (Lyndsey) Metzen of Wellington, KS; sister Nikki (Teo) San Roman of Wichita, KS; Jennifer Metzen of Mayfield, KS; as well as grandmother Joyce Tencleve, godmother Betty Lucas, goddaughters Sophia San Roman and Vivian Girton, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many other family and friends who will dearly miss him.