George William Lafal

George Lafal

George W. Lafal of Blue Springs, Mo passed away peacefully on May 30, 2024. He was born February 10,1946 in Independence, Mo.

He graduated from Van Horn high school (1964) where he played football and was on the swim team.

He had a diverse career starting with his job working for N&W Railroad where he made lifelong friends who have been coming to his lake house for the last 30 years for snagging season every spring.

He started bowling in junior leagues and fell in love with the sport and quickly excelled into one of the top bowlers in the KC area. During that time he was co-owner of Diamond Bowl. George was on the Professional Bowling tour from 1972-1981 and loved every minute.

He was inducted into the Kansas City Bowling Hall of Fame in 1986 and one of his greatest honors was his induction in the Missouri State Bowling Hall of Fame in 2012. His father George Sr and son Billy along with George are also in the National Hall of Fame for all three bowling 300 in their family. (3 generations)

For over 50 years he was the owner of Independence Classic Auto Interior. Over the years he received numerous local awards and 7 national awards for interior designs. He once said his success in putting flames in cars was due to the hours he spent in high school practicing while sitting in his classes. He was an outstanding artist and most of the designs he put in cars he drawn by hand.

In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, riding his Harley and a one time was a certified scuba driver. In his younger years he loved drag racing in independence

For over 40 years he played Santa for family and friends. He visited KU and Children's Mercy hospital and passed out gifts to the children. As a member of a local car club he played Santa for clubs and organizations and received donations for the Children's Miracle Network and St, Jude Children's Research hospital.

He is proceeded in death by his father George Lafal Sr, his mother Marguerite Lafal and brother Dennis Lafal.

George is survived by his wife Barbara Lafal, son Billy (partner Steve), Shawn Clark (wife Stephanie), Crystal Clark and four granddaughters Jayla, Morgan, Lilly Jo and Emersyn.

George (The Joker) and his joke telling will be sadly missed by his family and friends and all those whose lives he touched.

He was loved by all and will never be replaced.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to:

KCUSBC

C/o George Lafal

Scholarship fund

6025 Raytown Rd.

Raytown, Mo 65133