JAMES CHRISTOPHER SPREHE

           December 28, 1944 - May 31, 2022

Chris was born in Oklahoma City on December 28, 1944, and he passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022.  He was the sixth of nine children of Stella (McGuire) and Francis Sprehe.  Chris attended Rosary grade school and Bishop McGuinness High School.  In high school he was editor of the school newspaper, Class officer, basketball player, and two year state track champion in the Mile Run.  He graduated from Kansas City’s Rockhurst University in 1966.  

While at Rockhurst, Chris met the love of his life, Donna Zahner. A week after they were married in 1967, Chris was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy.  They were stationed in Gaeta, Italy, for a year before he received orders to report for duty in Vietnam.  Lieutenant Sprehe was an officer in River Assault Division 153, and was commander of a patrol boat for over two hundred missions. He received many personal commendations and unit citations for his life-saving heroics during that time.

After his tour of duty, Chris returned to Kansas City where he was an executive in the banking and real estate businesses for many years.  In 1985, he incorporated what became a successful executive search firm, The Christopher Group.  

Chris is survived by Donna, his wife of 55 years, his children Patrick (Heejung Lee), daughter Shannon (Christopher) Hurn, and sons Adam (Karen), and Nick, nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Chris especially valued family, the friends of his youth, his classmates at Rockhurst, and those of his Naval fraternity.  The world is a better place because of Chris!

Visitation at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W. 71st, Overland Park, Kansas 66204 on Friday, July 29, 2022 at 9:30, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30.  (Mass will be live-streamed @ www.queenoftheholyrosary.com) 

Memorial at The Well, 7421 Broadway, KC, Mo 64114, on Saturday, July 30, from 2.00-5:00 PM.

Condolences may be made to Patrick Sprehe, 6151 Kenwood Avenue, Kansas City, MO  64110