Verlyn Lee St.Clair
https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Verlyn-Lee-St-Clair?obId=28063591
July 3, 1932 - June 2, 2023
Verlyn Lee St.Clair passed peacefully in his home at the age of 90 on June 2, 2023 surrounded by his devoted family just as he wished. Verlyn was born July 3, 1932, to Viola and Lee St.Clair of Harlan, KS.
Verlyn played basketball and baseball. According to resident expert, Kelly Nichols, Verlyn was one of the best natural athletes he knew. Verlyn graduated from Harlan High School in 1950 as a proud Harlan Cardinal. He planned to play baseball and basketball and was pre-vet at Kansas State; however, due to his father’s declining health, he returned to Harlan to farm and continued to farm for the remainder of his life.
He married Doris Jean Albrecht of Smith Center, KS, on September 7, 1951. Verlyn and Doris were devoted to each other for 65-plus years. To this union, eight children were born, 20 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Verlyn had a passion for sports. He continued to enjoy sports through his children, grandchildren and later Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. One of his and Doris’s favorite pastimes was horseracing. They made many friends at Fonner Park. They traveled to Church Hill Downs, Santa Anita and various other tracks across the country to view horseracing.
As a couple, Verlyn and Doris were involved in the Harlan and Smith Center communities. They were active members of the Harlan Church. Special memories with family and friends were created in the harvest field, at the river and during hunting seasons. Ma and Pa Kettle were their CB handles. Holidays were standing room only with the “real” Santa visiting on Christmas eve – the family was large, loud and fun. Verlyn was happiest hosting in his family home, designed and built by him and his wife, Doris. They purchased the Harlan Schoolhouse and repurposed the brick and lumber to build their home. Verlyn and Doris’s children remember having to clean a specific number of bricks based on their age after school.
Verlyn never knew a stranger; he had the extraordinary ability to befriend anyone and strike up a conversation, everyone and anyone was welcome in his home.
Verlyn farmed the majority of his life. His wife’s declining health took him off the tractor. Verlyn’s love of family was evident as he faithfully cared for his father, grandmother, mother, aunt, mother-in-law and then his loving wife in their home.
Verlyn is survived by his son Steve St.Clair and Carla of Harlan, KS; daughter Mary Ann and husband Rick Kelleher of Fort Collins, CO; son Ron and wife Tracy St.Clair of Smith Center, KS; daughter Penny and husband Russell Hendrich of Portis, KS; son JR St.Clair and Sandy of Denver, CO; son LeJohn St.Clair and Carrie of Sidney, NE; son Tracy and wife Michelle St.Clair of Lincoln, NE; sister Karen Younger of Hays, KS, as well as 20 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his devoted wife Doris Jean St.Clair, his son Tony Allan St.Clair; brother Don St.Clair; mother and father Lee and Viola St.Clair; mother and father-in-law Loyal and Mary Albrecht; sisters-in-law Michelle St.Clair and Marilyn Saunders, and brothers-in-law Bill Younger, Dean Raney, and Leon Saunders.
On the day of his passing, there was three and a half inches of rain. Like the old saying goes, “When a good old farmer dies, the skies will cry.” Moments after his passing, a beautiful, serene photo was taken right outside his home, which displayed a bright streak of light shooting up from his homestead to the heavens, passing through the full moon. His departure has left a void in the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.