Category: Business

This community lost two of its business leaders recently — Jim DeGoler and Terry Eidson. I was pleased to have known both. They were not only successful businessmen; they understood the importance of being community leaders.

I recall working with Jim DeGoler in the mid- and late 1970s when he headed the Chamber of Commerce. The organization was going through a revival that Jim was leading. The chamber hired Bill Little as its executive—a no-nonsense leader who didn’t hesitate to deal directly with community problems. The chamber led the effort to change the patron-riddled city government into a professionally managed organization. That successful effort, with an election in 1982, was a necessary forerunner to the consolidation of city and county governments in 1997.

Jim DeGoler was a successful pharmacist, a company that his father, Harvey DeGoler, founded in 1928. Jim was president of the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education and Cancer Action. He also was chairman of the board of trustees of Bethany Medical Center.

Terry Eidson was the co-owner of Edison’s Florist. Terry’s parents, Virgil and Pauline Eidson, founded the business in the White Church community. Terry and his wife Aileen Frisch Eidson expanded the business to include a travel agency and tuxedo rental service. I remember spending time, helping them plan marketing programs for their expanding businesses.

Terry Eidson served on the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities and the board of the Wyandotte County Fair Association. He also rescued a failing racquetball club with the help of other investors. He sponsored and coached little league ball teams; he had a special interest in teams that his sons and later his grandchildren played on.

Both of these men were graduates of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, served on area bank boards and were active members of the United Methodist Church. I was pleased to have known them and appreciate the many contributions that they made to the community. Both will be missed.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.