June 27, 1933 ~ February 26, 2020

Harold Wayne Battmer, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on February 26, 2020 in Lee’s Summit, Mo., at the age of 86.

Harold was born on June 27, 1933 to Henry Battmer and Freda Taylor Battmer at General Hospital No. 1 in Kansas City, Mo. He went on to graduate from Pleasant Hill High School in 1951 and attended Central Missouri State College. Harold felt a strong sense of duty to his country and community and will be remembered for his selfless service to both — he was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1953–1955 and attaining the rank of Corporal, and later went on to join the Missouri State Highway Patrol, where he served for 32 years before retiring with the rank of Lieutenant on September 1, 1990.

On June 7, 1958, Harold married his beloved wife of 61 years, Claudine, in a ceremony at the Lee’s Summit Christian Church. Together, the couple raised two sons, Kent and Brett, and enjoyed traveling the country together in their RV.

Harold’s personal motto written in his high school yearbook was, “If you want anything done, do it yourself.” It was how he lived his life: with a deep sense of integrity and personal responsibility to everything he did. He was dedicated to and proud of his service and his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved fishing and traveling, and he could strike up a conversation with almost anyone, whether they crossed paths on the lake, at the bank or while he was cruising the aisles of the local Walmart. He is loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Harold is survived by his wife, Claudine Battmer of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; sons, Kent Battmer (Tracy) and Brett Battmer (Machelle) of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Emily, Amanda, Austin (Elizabeth), Kara (Lane), Hunter, Madison, Levi, Jenna, Ayden, Derrick, Ella, Brody and Rylee; and many other beloved friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Hess Battmer and Freda Taylor Battmer; stepfather George H. Lee; and brother Donald George Battmer.

A memorial service is being held on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Langsford Funeral Home. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society.