Frederick Arbanas

Frederick Vincent Arbanas, 82, of Lee's Summit passed away on April 16, 2021.

Fred was born in Detroit, Michigan to parents, Francis and Lucille Arbanas. Fred attended Michigan State University where he played football and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Education, as well as sports and recreation. During this time he also met the love of his life, Sharon Duff, and after a brief courtship of four months the two were married on August 20,1960. To pursue his career in the NFL, Fred and Sharon moved to Dallas, TX where he began playing football for the Dallas Texans. After spending a couple of years in Texas, the family relocated to the Kansas City/Longview area where they raised their four children and where Fred played as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Fred continued playing for the Chiefs until his retirement in 1970, after the team won Super Bowl IV. After his illustrious football career, Fred began numerous business ventures, including his ownership of the National Yellow Pages Advertising Agency and his membership on the North American Savings Bank Board of Directors for over 45 years (beginning in 1975.)  He became a pillar of the community through his legislative endeavors within Jackson County. In recognition of his 40+ years of service to Jackson County, in 1999 the Longview Lake Golf Course was renamed Fred Arbanas Golf Course at Longview Lake. Fred applied his strong work ethic in everything he did and also passed his knowledge and wisdom of working hard down to his children. Family was always so important to him and he especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Sharon and Fred also enjoyed their time traveling and had many fond memories of their time spent in Cancun, Mexico.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents and wife of 59 years, Sharon Arbanas. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children; Mike (Jenny) Arbanas, Lisa (Brian) Tillema, JoBeth (Nick) Smith, and Becky (Scott) Thomason; grandchildren, Jake (Adrienne), Frank (Paige), and Luke Arbanas, David Tillema, Emily and Zach Smith, Sam and Vinny Thomason; great-granddaughter, Isla Anne Arbanas; and many extended family, colleagues and friends.

A memorial gathering will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lee's Summit on Friday, April 23rd at 2:00pm, with a funeral mass at 3:00pm. The funeral service will be available to view via live stream and recording at https://youtu.be/rklfkKLQBnY