FOR IMMEDIEATE RELEASE 2:00PM

Monday, October 25, 2021

Democratic Elected Leaders of Jackson County

Passing of County Party Chairman, Paul Wrabec of Sugar Creek, MO

Independence— Monday, October 25, 2021 — Today, Elected Democratic Leaders of

Jackson County, MO issue a joint letter on the recent passing of Jackson County Democratic

Committee Chair, Paul Wrabec.

“Jackson County is a better place because of Paul Wrabec” says the letter that was

penned by local elected officials.

Paul’s decades of service to his community and party:

Chairman Wrabec, provided nearly five decades of ever faithful service to his community

and party. “Let us celebrate the wonderful life of our friend Paul and show a grateful attitude for

commitment and sacrifice” the letter continues.

Paul’s Legacy

Paul’s Legacy: “Our community is a better place for having had his guidance, and will be

remembered for his bold leadership and vision” the letter states.

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Included in this release: List of letter signees, Letter from party leaders, community partners, and

labor, County Legislative Resolution, and Paul’s Obituary.

For more information, press only:

PR Contact: Acting Executive Director, Geoff Gerling

Cell Phone: 816-878-0560
Email: geoff@jacksoncodems.org
List of signees:
• Dee Evans, Acting Chair, Jackson County Democratic Committee

• Shellie Monetmuro, Historian, Jackson County Democratic Committee

• John “Coach” Comstock, Treasurer, Jackson County Democratic Committee

• Tom Wyrsch, Parliamentarian, Jackson County Democratic Committee

• Gail McCann Beatty, Secretary, Jackson County Democratic Committee

• DeAun Young, Jackson County Democratic Committee Woman, Fort Osage

• Judy Morgan, Former State Representative and JCDC Member, KCMO

• Michael Butler, Chairman, Missouri Democratic Party

• Sarah Starnes, Community Organizer and Leader, KCMO

• Lauren Gepford, Former Executive Director, JCDC and MDP

• Frank White, Executive, Jackson County, MO

• Quinton Lucas, Mayor, Kansas City, MO

• Jean Peters-Baker, Prosecutor, Jackson County, MO

• Jalen Anderson, Jackson County Legislator, First District AT-Large

• Crystal Williams, Jackson County Legislator, Second District AT-Large

• Tony Miller, Jackson County Legislator, Third District AT-Large

• Scott Burnett, Jackson County Legislator, First District

• Ronald E. Finley, County Legislator, Second District

• Charlie Franklin, Jackson County Legislator, Third District

• Jessica Podhola, Former ED JCDC, IUAPT District #3 Govt. Affairs Dir.

• Wade Keifer, Business Representative, IBEW

• Brian Simmons, Special Representative, IAMAW

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• Andrea Bough, Councilwoman District Sixth District AT-Large, KCMO

• Marcie Buttgen Gragg, Fmr. Councilwoman, Independence, MO

• Manny Abarca IV, Kansas City Public School Board Member, Kansas City

• Keri Ingle, State Representative 35th District, Lees Summit, MO

• Ingrid Burnett, State Representative 19th District, KCMO

• Rory Rowland, State Representative 29th District, Independence

• Emily Weber, State Representative 24th District, KCMO

• Patty Lewis, State Representative 25th District, KCMO

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 IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of Paul Wrabec.

RESOLUTION NO. 20799, October 25, 2021

INTRODUCED BY Jalen Anderson, Crystal Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald

E. Finley, Charlie Franklin, Dan Tarwater III, Jeanie Lauer, and

Theresa Cass Galvin, County Legislators

WHEREAS, Paul Wrabec, a longtime member and, since 2016, Chairman of the

Jackson County Democratic Committee, passed away suddenly on October 20, 2021;

and,

WHEREAS, Paul, 64, was a local business owner and resident of Sugar Creek,

Missouri; and,

WHEREAS, Paul was a passionate leader for Democrats, one of the first party

officials to condemn the alt-right rally and violence that occurred in 2017 in Charlottesville,

Virginia, and among the first to speak against the January 6 insurrection at the U.S.

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Capitol; and,

WHEREAS, Paul previously served as an Alderman for the City of Sugar Creek

and brings nearly 50 years of service in area politics; and,

WHEREAS, as a single father to three children, Paul was devoted to his family,

always putting them first in his life; and,

WHEREAS, Paul had friendships with countless elected officials from Missouri and

beyond, including Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, Vice President

Al Gore, Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, and Secretary of State Hillary

Clinton; and,

WHEREAS, Paul is remembered for his vision and dedication as a strong and

trusted voice on behalf of the citizens of Missouri; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the

Legislature hereby recognizes the life and extraordinary achievements of Paul Wrabec

and extends its deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

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Residents of Jackson County:

With the passing of Paul Wrabec, Chairman of the Jackson County

Democratic Committee, we have lost a steadfast partner in equality and
justice.

We, in Jackson County, pray that his family, friends, and the countless
many that he impacted during his life will find peace during this difficult
time.

The Wrabec family is in our hearts, and we will forever be grateful for the
distinguished good and dedication our beloved friend provided over five
decades of service to our community. Let us celebrate the wonderful life
of our friend Paul and show a grateful attitude for his commitment and
sacrifice.

Our community is a better place for having had his guidance, and will be
remembered for his bold leadership and vision.

Jackson County is a better place because of Paul Wrabec.

Ever Faithfully In Service,

Your Elected Officials, Public Servants, Community Organizers and

Leaders, and Friends in Labor

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 FUNERAL HOME
Carson-Speaks Chapel
1501 W. Lexington Ave.
Independence, MO

Visitation
Oct, 27 2021
4:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Carson-Speaks Chapel

Paul J. Wrabec
October 28, 1956 - October 20, 2021

Sugar Creek, Missouri - Paulie Wrabec's 65 years of service, stories and mentorship ended
unexpectedly at his home the morning of October 20, 2021. A lifelong resident of Sugar Creek,
Mo, PJW was extremely proud of his Croatian, Slovak and Sugar Creek heritage. When asked if
he'd move out of his lifelong town he'd joke "when they take me to Woodlawn Cemetery." Sadly,
that time has come.
A grandson of working immigrants he spent his adult life fighting for the ideals of equality,
workers, and union rights within his beloved Democratic Party. Beginning his lifetime of local
politics, Paul started at the bottom by losing his first race for local committeeman. Never afraid of
losing he'd say "you can't catch fish without getting your bait wet." He succeeded in 1978 and later
became the Committee's longest serving chairperson of the last century. Paul also became Sugar
Creek's youngest City Alderman ever elected.
Growing up making wine with his grandfather and Uncle Jake, Paul expanded on the family
tradition with his mother Irene by planting vineyards and starting VinoGrad Winery. Paul won
numerous first place medals in his Concord and Chardonel varietals.
After retiring from environmental remediation in 2005, Paul and his son Cyril opened and
managed the Sugar Creek, Independence and Kansas City License Offices. Paul, Cyril and Josko
still operate the Sugar Creek office where Paul can be remembered greeting customers and making
after-hour house calls delivering DMV services to hundreds of local elderly, disabled and infirm
citizens.
Paul loved fishing, hunting and being at his lake cabin. But more so, he loved passing those
traditions down by mentoring dozens of relatives and friends in outdoorsmanship. Most recently,
PJW has been proudly raising his grandson Palko and teaching him these skills on almost weekly
lake trips.
Paul shook the hands of presidents and traveled with governors, but he was equally happy
with the average stranger. An infectious smile and tender ability to welcome the most derelict and
down-and-out, Paul picked up hitchhikers, gave money to streetside homeless, and happily assisted
anyone needing anything. He especially helped those who were disabled. When you called Paul,
he answered.
Although Paul sadly lost his daughter Daniella six weeks ago, he leaves behind his sons
Cyril Wrabec and Josko Wrabec, grandsons Corgon Thomas, Kruno Thomas, and Palko Captain

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Cruze Wrabec, great-granddaughter Aveya Thomas, and his hunting dog Zuska, close friends Janet
Bock and Brianna Corso.
Those who loved Paul most are grieving now but know "It will be a magnificent outcome."
The family will receive visitors Wednesday Oct. 27, 4-7pm, 1501 Lexington Ave,
Independence, MO. Mass and burial on Paul's 65th birthday Oct. 28, 11AM, St. Cyril Church,
Sugar Creek, Mo. In lieu of flowers you can honor Paul by donating to civic relief, CCRC, 103 S
Sterling, Sugar Creek, MO 64054, Community Services League, or a charity of your choice.

Published by Kansas City Star on Oct. 24, 2021.