SULLY OWEN L

CW4 Owen L. Sully was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 09/16/2014 at the age of 78.3
Kansas City, KS
Flight Class 65-18
Date of Birth 06/01/1936
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 163 GS 101 ABN in 69
Call sign in Vietnam ROADRUNNER 49
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Owen Lee Sully took his "high flight" to heaven on September 16, 2014. Every warrior must finally rest and he has completed his mission as a soldier, patriot, police officer, Sheriff, community leader, father, grandfather, husband, survivor and friend of many. Owen, 78, was born in Leavenworth, Kan., to Henry Leroy and Lola Laverne (Garrison) Sully moving to Kansas City, Kan., as a youth. He graduated from Wyandotte High School ('55) and Central Missouri State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in criminal justice administration, as well as many military training schools. He began his military career joining the Naval Reserves in Olathe between his junior and senior year of high school. While still attending Wyandotte High School and KCK Community College he already was a naval reserve drill instructor training many local veterans. He attended Navy flight school in Pensacola, Fla., where he made lifelong friends and fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. He also performed on a national stage as member of the Naval Cadet choir. He later transferred to the Kansas Army National Guard and attended Army Cobra helicopter flight school. His combat service includes the Cuban crisis with the Navy and in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1996 as a CW4 Master Aviator with over 6000 hours of accident free flight time. He joined the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department as a district officer 1961. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1988 having served in many capacities including the motorcycle unit, station commander of west patrol, south patrol, youth bureau, night field commander and case screening of the Detective Bureau, pilot and commander of the KCK Police Helicopter Unit. Owen Sully was an active Republican since he was old enough to vote for Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. He was elected Sheriff of Wyandotte County in 1988. As Sheriff he supervised the opening and administration of the new Detention Center and fought to maintain the constitutional office of sheriff as the newly unified city-county government was implemented. He increased professionalism by including testing for employment and promotion, implementing standard operating procedures for the Sheriff's Office, promoting the FOP within the Sheriff's office and created the only county jail in Kansas able to certify detention officers besides the state. Following his term as Sheriff, Owen lived in Osawatomie, Kan. There he also ran for Governor of Kansas. Returning to KCK he continued to conquer other challenges, defeating heart failure and cancer. Owen loved his family dearly and always encouraged high goals, Christian values and standards for his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Osawatomie Church of the Nazarene. He coached soccer teams and was a member of many community organizations. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Loretta Mae King and brother, James Bernard Sully. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Zelma (Call) Sully; daughter, Sheila Ann Sully-Russell; son, Owen Lee Sully, Jr.; six grandchildren, Ashley Renee June, Lacey Jae' Russell, John James Russell Jr., Storme Legend Sully, Talon La'akai Sully, Levi Zachary Russell, and great-grandchild, Kelsey Ann-Marie Reek. He is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Jean Armstrong of KCK, and Irene Collins of El Dorado Springs, Mo., and many nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, KCK 66109 with service at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, also at Open Door Baptist Church. Burial at 12:30 p.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Open Door Baptist Church Benevolent Fund or to a charity or cause of your choice in Owen's name. Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com Arr.: Porter Funeral Home & Crematory, 1835 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan., (913) 621-6400.

Published in Kansas City Star from Sept. 21 to Sept. 22, 2014

This information was last updated 06/06/2013

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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