Gerald and Phyllis East

Gerald A. East and Phyllis J. East, beloved husband and wife, devoted parents, and cherished members of their family and community, lived lives marked by kindness, dedication, and a deep love for others. Together, they created a legacy filled with warmth, hard work, hospitality, and a passion for the simple joys of life that will be remembered by all who knew them.

Gerald graduated from the University of Kansas (KU) with a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering and went on to work as an architectural engineer for the U.S. General Services Administration. His professional life was underscored by a commitment to excellence and a meticulous attention to detail that earned him respect among his colleagues and peers. Phyllis devoted her career to shaping young minds as an elementary teacher in the Shawnee Mission, Kansas School District at Prairie Elementary. With a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Kansas State University and a master’s degree from Wichita State University, she brought both knowledge and passion to her classroom, fostering a nurturing and encouraging environment for countless students.

Beyond their careers, Gerald and Phyllis found their greatest joy in their life together and in the people they loved. They cherished time spent at their home at Lake of the Ozarks, a place filled with decades of treasured memories. Gerald enjoyed designing and building projects, helping friends with construction endeavors, and spending peaceful days fishing, often with a pole in his hand catching crappie. Phyllis found joy in sewing, reading, and expressing her care for others by delivering food—often a homemade apple pie—to neighbors and friends. Together, they shared a love of travel and found happiness in life’s simple pleasures.

Gerald and Phyllis were known for their kind hearts and complementary personalities. Gerald could be quiet and incredibly kind, yet also the first to tell a joke and become the life of the party. Phyllis was equally kind, a doer full of energy who was always on the go, constantly looking for ways to show how much she cared for others. Their home was a place of hospitality, with an open door to family, friends, and neighbors. From being the house where all the kids gathered, to entertaining loved ones at the lake, to hosting fish fries and Christmas meals, they delighted in bringing people together and making everyone feel at home. Their joy was found in creating joy for others.

They were both proud of their careers and the meaningful work they accomplished, but most of all, they were proud of the family they built. They raised strong, responsible children who went on to have wonderful families of their own. One of their greatest contributions to their family’s lives was building the family lake house in the Ozarks nearly 50 years ago, a place that provided endless memories of love, laughter, and togetherness.

Gerald and Phyllis are lovingly remembered by their son, Dan East; their daughter, Jana Palcer, and her husband, Chuck Palcer; and their grandchildren, Cameron East and his wife Mckensie Wren-East, Caitlyn East, Lexi Palcer, and Jake Palcer, who brought immense joy to their lives. They are also survived by Gerald’s siblings, Clint East and Lura Sue Reeves, and Phyllis’s sister, Marilyn Elbel. They were preceded in death by Gerald’s parents, Vivian “Bud” East and Floydia East; Phyllis’s parents, Richard and Dorthea Burdorf; and Gerald’s brothers, David East and Buddy East.

A joint memorial service to honor and celebrate their lives will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cozine Life Events Center. Family, friends, and all whose lives they touched are invited to gather in remembrance of the love and legacy they shared.

Gerald and Phyllis East’s lives were defined by their devotion—to each other, to their family, to their work, and to the many people they welcomed into their lives. Their gentle spirits, generous hearts, and enduring love will be deeply missed, and their memory will continue to inspire all who had the privilege to know them.