Deacon Aaron Wayne Tolbert, Sr.

Obituary Aaron Wayne Tolbert, Sr. was a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, coach, mentor, director and also a true friend. The story began May 23, 1963 when he was born at KU Medical Center as the sixth child to parents, Elder and Sister Lee and Lorene Tolbert. Aaron was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost as a youth at Christ Temple Pentecostal Church. It was a beautiful Mothers’ Day in 1989, when Aaron came back to Victorious Life Church (VLC) to give his life to Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Suffragan Bishop Lee A. Tolbert and Mother Lorene Tolbert. Aaron attended Milton Moore Elementary School, Central Junior and Central Senior High School and graduated from Bishop Hogan in 1981. In high school sports, he played running back in football and ran track and attended community college. Married to Antoinette Renee Tolbert in 1986, they shared three children: Anthony Murphy, Aaron Wayne, Jr. and Shanelle Tolbert. That marriage ended in 1988. As an industrious young man, Aaron worked many jobs, including working for his brother, Mark, at SMAKS. He often talked about his job as Chef at Steak and Ale, where he was asked to train a new employee named Orene. On August 3, 1989 Aaron married Orene Louise Henderson, affectionately known as Fluff. Within that union came 4 children: Zachariah and Orene Archie, and Travis and Christian Tolbert. Aaron’s heart was so big that on Sept 12, 2007, he and Fluffy began to foster, then adopted, two children Ciarra and Antinet, and also their older sister, Domineq. The judge gave a commendation to Aaron and Fluff for wanting to adopt all the sisters to keep them together. Family and friends often commented on the exceptional relationships that Aaron and Fluff built in their blended family. At a VLC Married Couples Retreat, they presented tips on how to develop a successful blended family. Aaron said, “Our first thing to do was bring the entire group together in a family meeting and let them know, ‘The only steps here are the ones that lead to the front door. You are all brothers and sisters’.” Prior to joining the Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy (LATCA) staff in 1999, Aaron worked for Lady Baltimore Foods and the IRS. He was the manager at Church’s Chicken and Rhodes Furniture and also worked for KC Parks and Recreation. At LATCA, Mr. Tolbert was the Director of Transportation, mapping the routes for each bus. He was the Athletic Director and a district office administrator. He coached basketball, track, and city league football with the Pop Warner organization. He founded the Charter School Athletic Program, bringing many KC middle school teams at charter schools and KC Public Schools into organized competition for volleyball, basketball, and track. He traveled all over the Midwest with the teams and held workshops during the winter and spring breaks - LATCA parents loved it! LATCA sports teams won many trophies with Coach Tolbert. Responsibilities at VLC included working sound, cameras, lights and facility operations. Aaron Tolbert was very involved in the success of many theatrical productions and events at VLC. He kept about 50 keys on two rings and he knew what each key went to. He trained young people in the church who were able to land successful careers in the news and journalism industry. Aaron Tolbert was anointed as a deacon in 2021 at Victorious Life Church. He also served as director of the Voices of Thunder Men’s Choir, President of the Gospel Choir, VLC Transportation administrator. He participated in the VLC Kitchen Ministry and Married Couples Ministry. Aaron loved sports. He loved to fish -with his sons, with his brothers, nephews, and friends. He enjoyed bowling and was an avid golfer. He could whip your socks off and never brag about it. Working on the golf courses for KC Parks and Recreation, he was on a first-name basis with Buck O’Neil and other well-known KC sportsmen. He was most definitely a KC Chiefs and KC Royals Fan. He loved to hate on the Dallas Cowboys. Unique traits: the laugh that you could hear through walls; jack of all trades - he could make something out of anything; if you were lost, call Aaron and he could give exact directions. He was there for everybody. No matter who needed anything, he would make time to assist. Deacon Aaron Wayne Tolbert, Sr. transitioned from this temporary life on earth to his forever home on February 26, 2022 at 2:00 a.m. inside of Victorious Life Church, leaving to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 32 years, Orene Louise Tolbert; 4 Sons: Anthony (Tenishia) Murphy, Norfolk, VA; Aaron Tolbert Jr.; Zachariah (Brandy) Archie; and Travis Tolbert. 6 Daughters: Shanelle Tolbert; Orene Jackson; Christian Tolbert; Domineq Bell; Ciarra Bell; and, Antinet Tolbert, all of KCMO; 5 Siblings: Suffragan Bishop Lee (Gaile) Tolbert, Jr., Waterloo, IA; Carol (Gary) Fowler, Las Vegas, NV; Elder Wendell (Doris) Tolbert; First Asst. Presiding Bishop Mark (Emelda) Tolbert, and, Dr. Vivian Roper, all of KCMO; Brother-in-law: Richard (Marilyn) Henderson, Columbia, MO; Sisters-in-law: Darlene (Drake) Sonnier and Bettie Henderson. 17 Grandchildren: Anthony, Jr. and Alyvia, Norfolk, VA; Zachariah II; Zenobia; Zadie; Makayla; Rihanna; Eddie; Deanna; Tyann; Tyrone; Elijah; Nevaeh; Christian; Malachi; Moriah; and Naima, all of KCMO; Aunt: Jeanette Gibson; dear family friend, Danielle Cox; godsons: Craig Moye, Chase Carter; nieces, nephews, cousins, VLC and LATCA families, and a host of friends. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, 11:00am at Victorious Life Church. Visitation will be from 9am-11am at the church. Interment Floral Hills Cem. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Aaron Wayne Tolbert, Sr., please visit our floral store. Read More

Deacon Aaron Wayne Tolbert, Sr.

May 23, 1963 - February 26, 2022