Carol L. Bahr

Carol Lynn Smith Bahr passed away on June 1, 2023.  She was the younger daughter of William Raymond Smith and Evelyn Sawtell Smith, sister to Helen Ann.  She was born on June 27, 1943. Carol grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from Southwest High School. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University. After graduation, Carol married Roland (Rollie) Dale Bahr on May 27, 1967. Carol worked as a social worker and then became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of their daughter Julie Lynn, followed by their son Jason William. After her kids grew a little older, Carol went back to work as the copyperson and, eventually, the bookkeeper at Leawood Middle School.

In addition to her own family, the thing Carol loved most in life was enjoying the company of other people. She loved to host parties at her house, holiday gatherings with extended family, gatherings for people from Rollie’s work and people from Leawood Middle School. She was a constant caregiver to anyone around her. Her face brightly lit up every single time she laid eyes on one of her five grandkids. In her mind, they could do no wrong, lavishing them with praise about who they were and how much she loved them. She loved to play card games like Four Kings with her grandkids and taught her other Colonial Village residents how to play Bridge.

One of Carol’s favorite places in the world was the condo she and Rollie owned at the Lake of the Ozarks. She loved hosting family and friends to swim, boat, and enjoy good food and drinks over a relaxing weekend or holiday. Her grandkids always knew there’d be special t-shirts to wear for the annual Fourth of July family photo.

Rollie would always admire how many people would sing her praises and loved being around her resilient mood and observant, inquiring questions. She knew how to make people feel special in her presence; it was a gift you received every time you were around Carol. 

Carol leaves behind her husband Rollie; her daughter Julie Davis (Bahr), Julie’s husband Jim, and their sons Jack, Joe, and Johnny; her son Jason Bahr, his wife Jessica, and their daughter Ruby and son Charlie; as well as her sisters in-law Teri Bahr, and Karesa Belsha (Bahr) and her husband Dennis, and many nieces and nephews. Carol is preceded in death by her parents, sister Helen Lawson, brother-in-law Alven Lawson and brother-in-law Gene Bahr.

Visitation will be Monday, June 12, 2023, from 11-12pm followed by a funeral service at 12pm at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel.  Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Carol’s honor to Unleashed Pet Rescue, as Carol absolutely loved animals.  www.unleashedrescue.com