Walter Reiffert McClanahan

Walter Reiffert McClanahan, age 86 of Leawood, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, after a battle with lung cancer. Walter was born in Cuero, Texas, on April 13, 1932, to the late Edwin Davidson McClanahan and Mildred Reiffert McClanahan.

Walter spent his childhood in Cuero, Texas where he was often known as Bubba. He played football with the Cuero High School Gobblers. After graduating from Lamar High School in Houston, he joined the United States Marine Corps. Walter proudly served his country for 13 years, which included service in the Korean War.  Walter loved living in Japan and traveling the world with the Marines. He easily made friends everywhere he went. After the Marines, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he met his future wife, Joan.  After a brief courtship, they married and moved to Dallas, Texas. Walter worked for Braniff Airlines and Dalfort. His wife and children have many fond memories of vacations around the world. He was active and devoted to his church, family, and friends. Walter and Joan spent almost 40 years on Darvany Drive in Dallas before following their daughters to Kansas City to be closer to their grandchildren.

Walter is survived by his loving wife, Joan Smith McClanahan of Leawood, Kansas; daughter Carol Salmon and her husband T.J. of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter, Joy Bittner and her husband Jeff of Leawood, Kansas; son Keith Wesch of Grand Prairie, Texas; his brother, Edwin D.McClanahan and his wife Joyce of Richland, Washington.  Walter was also a loving “Paw Paw” to his grandchildren Savannah Bittner, Elizabeth and Thomas Salmon.

A memorial is planned in his hometown of Cuero, Texas, at 11:00 am on December 28, 2018, at Grace Episcopal Church, East Live Oak Street, Cuero, Texas, 77954.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society.