HAL DEAN FERRARO

Hal Dean Ferraro, age 85 of Belton, MO passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on the morning of July 29, 2014. He was born on January 31, 1929 in Pittsburg, KS to Michele (Mike) Ferraro and Georgie Cowan Ferraro of Arcadia and grew up and attended elementary and high school in Arcadia. As a young boy he helped out working in his parents' store, Ferraro's Clothing, Dry Goods, and Shoes. At a time during World War II they also owned a grocery store.
Hal was outstanding in all sports and academics at Arcadia High School, but especially excelled at basketball. He held the southeast Kansas scoring record of 38 points in one game against Girard, KS high school in 1947. After graduation he was recruited by several colleges but accepted a call to North Carolina University in Chapel Hill by Coach Tom Scott, himself a native of Southeast Kansas. He played basketball for the Tar Heels from 1947-51.
He was the first player recruited from Kansas to U.N.C. and had the first one handed jump shot in the Southeast Conference at U.N.C. He was on the team that played in the first televised basketball game in Madison Square Garden in New York in 1948. After college graduation he joined the Marine Corps and was recruited into Special Services and played basketball for the San Diego Marines and later the Camp Pendleton Marines.
Hal's love for basketball was always a part of his activities. He played on teams in every city where he lived until he was 77 years old. Some of the players were the ages of his sons. He participated in Senior Olympics for many years and won numerous 1st and 2nd place medals for basketball and tennis.
He attended the NCAA Final Four games for decades, missing only one or two in all that time. (One time because of his 25th wedding anniversary.) He had a special relationship with his Coach, Tom Scott, and friends in the NCAA who made sure he had tickets. He had a special group of friends who went with him and they had great times together.
While at Carolina he pledged Sigma Nu Fraternity. He met his future wife Susan (Sue) Spruill Joyner of Wilson, N.C. Shortly before his discharge from the Marine Corps at the end of August 1953 he and Sue were married at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Wilson on March 28, 1953. They were married for 61 years and were blessed with four children, two boys and two girls, of whom he was very proud.
In September 1953 he began his career with Chevrolet Division of General Motors which at that time had offices on the Plaza in Kansas City. He started in the Zone office as a clerk and worked his way up through the ranks. After four years he became District Manager out of St. Joseph for seven years, followed by 5+ years in Springfield District and finally back to the Metro District in KC. After a few more years he became Zone Truck and R.V. Manager in the Zone office. He retired on January 1st 1987.
He was actively involved in many civic affairs having served as President of the Belton Chamber of Commerce, on the Foundation Board of Belton Research Hospital, and as representative of Cass Co. and Belton Research on the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City Community Advisory Committee. He was a member of the American Legion, serving as Vice Commander and later as Chaplain. He was a former member of Twin Oaks Country Club and later of Loch Lloyd Country Club.
Hal was a devoted member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in south KC for 44 years having served as Senior Warden after four different terms and on various other committees. He was awarded the Bishop's Shield by Bishop Barry Howe, which is the highest honor awarded to a Lay member of the Diocese for devoted and loyal service.
Hal is survived by his devoted wife, Sue, and three children: Susan Ferraro (and Ron Colby) of Bella Vista, Ark.; Dean Ferraro and wife Kelley of Stilwell, KS; Michele (Mike) Ferraro of Denver, CO; and three grandchildren: Jackie and husband Chris Keane of Overland Park, KS, Sarah Ferraro and Mike Ferraro and his fiancé Alexandra Casten of St. Louis, MO; one great grandchild, Andrew Keane of Overland Park.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and his younger daughter, Maryann Ferraro (Sell) in September 2013 and a dear aunt Nevada Cowan.
Visitation will be 11-1 PM Friday, August 1, 2014 at St. Peter and All Saints' Episcopal Church 100 East Red Bridge Rd. Kansas City, MO 64114 with funeral services at 1:00 PM. Graveside service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Hosey Hill Cemetery, west of Weir, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter and All Saints' Episcopal Church or the Salvation Army or the City Union Mission.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO (816)322-5278