Avrom F. Jaben

March 21, 1932 - March 27, 2020

Sonny (Avrom) Jaben of Overland Park, Kansas, died at his home Friday, March 27, after succumbing to cancer that he had valiantly been fighting for more than five years. He had just celebrated his 88th birthday a week earlier. A Kansas City native, Mr. Jaben was married to his best friend and soulmate, Lenora Sandler Jaben, in 1958. They have two children, Marc, and Lauren Jaben (Peter Williams), and three granddaughters, Lucy, Ellis and Ivy whom he adored. He also has several nieces and nephews, including two nieces with whom he was especially close, Rochelle Fishman Barash and Jan Jaben-Eilon. Mr. Jaben was predeceased by his only sibling, Lawrence R. Jaben, who died just days before Sonny’s 30th birthday. His father, Phillip Jaben, died six months to the day later. His mother, Ruth Pesmen Jaben Moskovitz, died in 1976. Family and heritage were important to Mr. Jaben. A kind and gentle man, he helped organize large family reunions in Kansas City. He even reached out to a young Polish woman born with the same last name from which the name Jaben was derived: Grzebieniarz. Friends were also a priority for Mr. Jaben, notably participating in a breakfast club with several buddies over many years. They met in establishments such as Pumpernicks, Harpo’s and Price Chopper. He played cards with the same “pals” for about 50 years and remained friends with his fraternity brothers from high school and college. His sense of humor was evident in the many Facebook postings he shared, including one of the latest: “I hate it when people act all intellectual and talk about Mozart when they’ve never even seen one of his paintings.” Mr. Jaben loved classical music. His favorite piece was Frederic Chopin’s Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2. Also blessed with an ear for languages, Mr. Jaben studied French at the University of Oklahoma after graduating from Central High School. He attained the title of Master Counselor in the Kansas City-based DeMolay International, a youth organization for young men that strives to develop leadership skills and good moral character. He served in the U.S. Army, spending time in Korea in the 1950s. After 42 years working at Zep Manufacturing Co., Mr. Jaben retired in 2000. Burial was Monday, March 30, at Blue Ridge Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by The Louis Memorial Chapel. A memorial service will be held after the coronavirus pandemic is over.