Clarence W. Stessman
July 8, 1939 ~ May 6, 2025
Born in:
Harlan, Iowa
Resided in:
Jefferson City, Missouri
Clarence W. ‘Chick” Stessman, 85, passed away peacefully in Jefferson City, MO on May 6, 2025. He is survived by his three children, Eric Stessman (Betty) of Glendale, WI; Mary Stessman Chen (Lucas) of Jefferson City, MO; and Susie Stessman Fairley, (Preston) of Olathe, KS; and grandchildren Claire Chen (Joe Johnson), Grace Chen (Sawyer Gibbs), Rose Chen, and Teddy Chen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Clarence was born in Harlan, Iowa in 1939, the youngest of five children, to Theodore Stessman and Clara Stoll. He grew up in Omaha, NE, where he attended Creighton Preparatory High School and Creighton University on a basketball scholarship before transferring and ultimately earning a degree in Education from Peru State Teacher’s College in 1961. He was a member of the 1961 Men’s Basketball team, later named to the Peru State Sports Hall of Fame. While attending Peru State, Chick met the love of his life, Carol Joy Ellenberger. They married in August of 1961, settled in Kansas City, MO, and during their 18 years together, raised a family that brought them much happiness.
Chick, or “Coach”, as he was often called, began his career as a basketball coach and teacher at St. Pius X High School, and later at Paseo High School. In 1970, he accepted the head coaching position at Liberty High School (LHS), and is credited with laying the foundation for a renowned program, which included the development of youth leagues for boys and girls, the annual “Bluejay Basketball Camp”, and the first invitational tournament hosted by LHS, which still takes place today. He was humbled to have the tournament re-named “The CW Stessman Invitational” several years later. During his final year as coach, The Bluejays were ranked number one in the state and played to overflow crowds for the first time in the school’s history.
For most of his 30 year tenure at LHS, and after earning a Master of Education degree from Central Missouri State University, Chick was an Assistant Principal. In that role, he developed a groundbreaking in-school suspension program and was asked to speak on the subject at national conventions and other administrator training events. He particularly enjoyed his role as advisor to Liberty’s award-winning Student Council program. Upon his retirement, he stayed on at LHS in a unique role as the General Manager of KLHS, the school’s new television studio, which was later named in his honor. In 2016, he was inducted into the Liberty High School Hall of Fame. For him, there was no greater honor or joy than hearing from his former players and students whose lives he had impacted.
Chick set an example of living life to its fullest, and enjoyed countless hobbies and passions including travel, art collecting, and following his favorite sports teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. A life-long lover and collector of music, Chick could truly lay claim to having seen Elvis Presley perform live in his blue suede shoes, in addition to Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra and numerous other musical giants ranging from Luciano Pavarotti to the Beach Boys to AC/DC. He loved sharing his interests with his family and friends. If something was important to him, he made sure his loved ones appreciated it too. He had an uncanny ability to take the smallest of life’s moments and turn them into unforgettable events. For 20 years he hosted an annual golf tournament in his backyard that attendees are still talking about to this day.
Above all else, Chick treasured family. He insisted on the keeping of numerous holiday traditions, coordinated many family reunions, and planned an unforgettable trip to Disney World for his siblings and their spouses in their later years. He relished the milestones in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and found the most unique ways to commemorate and celebrate them. His love was steadfast and his devotion, unwavering. He will be greatly missed.
Per his wishes, a private family Celebration of Life will be held in Omaha, NE, and he will be laid to rest in Liberty, MO. The family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to the Liberty Education Foundation, 8 Victory Lane, Liberty, MO, 64068.
Trimble Funeral Homes of Jefferson City, Mo, is assisting with arrangements.
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You always kept me on my toes, you were there for me when I needed advise you. The compassion you showed to me and all of the students at Liberty High School we will treasure forever!! One day when you called to me to your office as I was walking to your office I thought just run for my life instead of going to your office.
Instead I knew I better go talk to you. As I stood outside your office waiting for you to let me come into your office. I was looking at you as you starred at me with that look on your face and your eyes I knew this was not going to be a pleasant.
I sat in the chair you told me to and told not to say a word as you looked at me in silence it seemed like an hour. You stated I have one question to ask you before you answer me honestly tell me the truth!
He said you have been absent from school for the last 5 days your Dad signed an excuse letter stating you have been sick. Are you feeling better since you really were not sick and attended the Basketball Ball tournament in Downtown KC this last week?? I didn’t answer you at first I thought how would he know I went to the Basketball Tournament?
I replied really yes I went no I wasn’t sick please tell me how you know I went?
You stated to me I was there myself sat directly across the stadium from you and your friend and watched you two for 5 days!! Plus your forged the excuse letter your Dad supposedly wrote himself to excuse you BUT your Dad called me to let me know he and your Mom were going to Hawaii for 3 weeks and said call me if Gigi pulls anything kind of crap at school. I instantly thought I am dead now this time Dad will ripe me apart.
Coach informed me I called your Dad and informed him about this situation you have done. Dad is a smart man and seems to keep his kids in line but he told me you just can not walk straight on the line you seem to want to do it your way.
I was mad at that point and said Coach I want to talk now ok! Did you have to call my Dad today could you have waited until my parents returned home! Honestly my Dad is going to kill me I am dead serious you will take my car which I make the pmts on plus pay my car insurance and pay for my own gas! Dad has taught me to pay for what I want he may have money but he doesn’t pay for what I want he makes me work for what I want!
Coach you looked at me then said stop talking now! Your Dad told me to call the police tell them to put you in jail until he returns home. I didn’t say a word I knew you probably would call the police I thought I am a dead duck!
You looked at me with your eyes did not say a word then told me your Dad is a very smart man he doesn’t put up with any crap does he when he talks to his kids best listen because he does not repeat himself doesn’t he?? Let me tell your Dad & I so much alike in fact I was born in Harlan Iowa and he was born in Manilla Iowa strong willed mannered men come from Iowa. I understand you were born in Carroll Iowa grew up on a farm in Manilla Iowa. You do have manners you are strong willed but you seem to want to do it your way and not follow rules correct!! So your punishment I am going to give you which will start when your Parents return home. You are expelled for school for 10 days you better be in school 20 minutes before school starts everyday until your parents return home! Are you listening to and understand every word I just said to you??
I didn’t say a word then I replied yes I understand and heard you BUT is 10 days really necessary to expel me for simple going to a Basketball Tournament?
Coach you slammed your hand on your desk and said no is necessary and believe I am watching every step you make and take got it. Do not say another word to me go back to your class now no I personally will walk you to your classroom.
Then you said to me with that slim smile on your face that was a great Basketball Tournament to attend lost of action wasn’t it you picked a great way to skip school for 5 days!! I looked at you and said really Chic after all this you say that to me!!! You told me stand up now start walking and you put your arm around me and said well do you agree with me about the Basketball Tournament? I looked up at you and said heck yes best 5 days of my life! Then you high 5 me. As we walked back to my classroom you whispered act like I am really mad at you like cry or something!!
You will be remembered by so many I thank you for inspiring me to be proud of myself and whatever I want to be and do in the future for a career believe in myself and conquer your quest!
God came and took your hand to your heavenly home you are at peace and an angel whom will be there for your entire Family! One thing last thing Coach please say Hi to my Dad for me!!
Sincerely
Gigi James Edwards 🙏🏼💙