Jerome Wilner

Jerome Wilner, 72, of Kansas City, MO, passed away on September 11, 2024. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, October 13th at 2 pm at the Roaring 20 Event Space at 4142 Main St, Kansas City, MO (next door to Blick’s Art Supplies). Jerry was born on March 29th, 1952. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North in 1970, and attended the University of Kansas. He enjoyed reading and relished story telling. Jerry viewed every person he met as someone with whom he could connect, especially through shared appreciation of games, movies, music, or books. Jerry was an avid gamer and enjoyed many kinds, from console to PC, tabletop to live-action roleplay. He was a member of various gaming groups, including White Wolf LARP, Dystopia Rising, and Tempest of Tridia. He was a member of the Mind’s Eye Society and the Society for Creative Anachronism, serving as Baron Davro of the Forgotten Sea from 1983 to 1988. Throughout his lifetime, Jerry worked in varied industries. He retired from his work as a security guard at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, then retired again from Legoland in 2017. But perhaps the work that was most dear to him was playing Santa Claus; this was work that made the most of his sense of humor, his love of magic and play, and his skill at immersion in make-believe and storytelling. It was also work that he could do with his beloved wife, Carolyn, by his side, which brought him great joy. Jerry was a devoted father and grandfather. He prioritized family time above all else, and never missed an opportunity to impart a life lesson to his daughters, Aeriel and Vanessa. No distance was too great for him to travel for or with his girls; he was especially pleased to travel to Texas last Christmas for the birth of his grandson, Ryan. Jerry has passed on a love of the written word to Aeriel, a love of gaming to Vanessa, and a deep and tremendous love and respect for family to both of them. Jerry cherished times with family and friends, accepting every invitation and opportunity to go the movies, share a meal, play a game, or simply hang out. He had a keen sense of humor and appreciation for entertainment in nearly any form. He loved mythology, was a noted history buff, and especially enjoyed games of strategy based on historical conflicts. In later years, he enjoyed travel, particularly to Alaska. Additionally, he was a devoted “dog dad” and “dog grandpa.” Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Berkowitz, Joyce Wilner, and Norm Wilner, as well as his former wife, Janet R. Wilner. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Smith; his daughters, Aeriel Wilner and Vanessa Parsons (Zack); his grandson, Ryan Parsons; his siblings, Joe, Joy, Jeanette, and Jay; and his longtime friend Rick Elleman. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KC Protective Animal Welfare Society at https://www.kcpaws.org/donate .

Jerome Wilner

March 29, 1952 - September 11, 2024