05/25/2026
David "Dave" House
David Henry House, Jr., was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to David and Mary (Fann) House on April 17, 1949. He spent the first half of his life living in Spring Hill, Kansas, where he graduated from Spring Hill High School In 1967. He married Jeanne Smith in 1968 and worked with his father-in-law, Chuck Smith, at the Spring Hill meat plant, eventually buying the business. Dave and Jeanne had two children, Jeff and Tami. They divorced in 1991.
The second half of Dave's life began when he met Rose Pyle White at the Dillons store in Shawnee where he worked as assistant manager in the meat department. They began their life together on October 6, 1995, when Dave married Rose at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe. At the age of 46, he began a life not only as a new husband but also took on the task completely and joyfully of helping Rose raise her three children, Julie (9), Joe (7), and Mike (5). A devoted husband and stepfather, he immersed himself in the busy and often chaotic homelife that three children present. Shortly after their marriage, Dave left Dillons and began another career as an electrician for Alvarez Electric and now had his weekends free which enabled him to pursue activities and coaching positions with the kids. Dave not only loved playing the game, but delighted in teaching and coaching Julie’s softball team, Barbie’s Dolls (sponsored by her Aunt Barb White), winning the league championship three years in a row, going undefeated. He also coached Joe's 9–10-year-old baseball team to Eudora's first ever state championship and, again, loved the teaching aspect. He was patient and fun and respected. Mike had different pursuits with Dave. He loved fishing and hunting, two of Dave's lifelong passions, and he and Mike built a treehouse on stilts complete with lookout holes for bad guys and a rope and pulley system to pull up supplies. A huge teepee graced our front yard for weeks as Mike pursued his adventures.
Retiring in his mid-50s on disability due to knee replacement and joint problems which ended his ability to tackle attics and crawl spaces anymore, he took on his most beloved job, a “Manny” to then 2-year-old Kole Manley. “Grandpa Dave,” as he was affectionately called, became both mentor and 3rd Grandpa to Kole. From 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Kole was Dave's shadow. Dave did it all, establishing mealtimes, nap schedules, and potty training. He taught Kole not only life skills, but respect and honor and they thrived in each other's company. They fished, hunted, made trips to the library, parks, pool, and movies and Kole joined Dave and Rose on their trips to Branson. Big sister, Mia Manley, was part of many pursuits and many memories were created and relived these past nearly 20 years. Dave attended every one of the kid’s athletic and academic events even into their early adult years. The Manley kids have been frequent visitors and dinner guests at the table. The bond between Kole and Dave remained unbreakable and was nourished by years of deep love and respect.
In the meantime, the nuclear family flourished with Dave at the helm. Highlights of the past 30 years were him walking his beloved Julie down the aisle when she married her high school sweetheart, Seth Johnson. That was followed by four grandchildren that he again taught and shared life with and trips to Branson, family cruises, and everyday games and meals. When Joe had his life changing accident at age 18, Dave was the rock who supported Rose and kept the home running. He spent countless hours beside our comatose son with quiet strength. With great pride, he attended the graduation of Mike at Fort Benning Georgia when he completed boot camp as a soldier in the US Army. Mike's wedding to Megan Krause, and the recent birth of their son Wesley in September, filled him with joy at becoming Papa Dave for the 5th time.
Dave and Rose enjoyed over 20 cruises together and multiple trips to Branson each year. He was a yard care perfectionist and built Rose her dream home where they have shared the past 13 years as Dave's health struggles increased. He loved his garage man cave and had his photos, guns, fishing poles, and recliner surrounding him. The garage door was always unlocked as a constant stream of friends cycled in and out, particularly after he entered hospice care in October of 2025.
A huge thank you to Colby Manley, for whom Dave worked for years as a construction manager. Even after Dave left that job, Colby continued to make daily visits to share the start of his day with Dave and keep him in the loop. Richard Campbell dropped by with a donut frequently and his brother, John House, and childhood friends and sporting buddies, Larry Sumner, Brent Ramirez and Brian Finley, were faithful visitors. Local legends, Doc Lee and Tim Shepherd, popped in and good friend and neighbor, Danny Shockley, often helped following Dave's frequent falls.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved little brother, Byron. He is survived by his loving wife, Rose, stepchildren Julie (Seth) Johnson, Joe White, Mike (Megan) White, and grandchildren Jackson, Lucas, Ava, and Lily Johnson and Wesley White. Other survivors include brother John (Jeanetta), sister Rita, and Lisa House widow of his brother Byron; and also, closer than blood grandchildren, Mia and Kole Manley.
Dave was an honorable and respectful man who will be greatly missed.
A special thank you to VNA hospice nurse Sherri Brown for her excellent care of Dave and the other nursing staff who provided kind and compassionate care during his last months of life.
A rosary will be recited on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary-Eudora Chapel. Services will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Warren-McElwain Mortuary-Eudora Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Cemetery Fund or to Eudora Food Pantry and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
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