David William Rest, 82, of Warrensburg, Missouri died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City.

A public visitation will be held 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 S. Ridgeview Dr., Warrensburg.

The funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Following the service a funeral procession will travel to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 20109 Business Hwy 13, Higginsville.

David was preceded in death by his father, Rev. William Rest, mother Amanda Rest, and sister Marian Rest of Chicago, Illinois.  David is survived by his wife, Barbara Rest, and their three children Brian Rest, Matthew Rest and Laura Kennedy (husband John) and grandchildren Tyler Kennedy (wife Mandy), Grace Kennedy and Nolan Kennedy, and three great-grandchildren Emma, Charlotte and Wade.  David Rest was adopted as an infant.  At age 60, David met his biological father, the late Vernon Jurs and his wife Dorothy.  His biological mother Geraldine (Gerry) Jurs preceded him in death.  He also discovered he was the oldest of 11 siblings. He is survived by biological sisters Terry Schrieber, Donna McQueen, Diane Norman and Judy Jurs.

David earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roosevelt University, in Chicago.  He also completed a master's degree in business administration from the University of Missouri.  On April 11, 1964, David was married to Barbara (Mitrick) Rest in their native Chicago.  During the same year, David began his military career as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.  The young couple's first duty station brought the first of many family moves as the Rests re-located to Japan, where his duties included meeting with Japanese scientists and technicians for the purpose of cultural and intellectual exchanges. Subsequent assignments included service as a Minuteman Missile Launch Officer and Instructor at Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, Missouri and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.  Rest was the head of the Command Post at Vandenberg AFB during many live fire test missile launches, and supported missions on the airborne Looking Glass Command Post. Rest later became a Social Actions officer in Guam and England where he was responsible for drug/alcohol prevention/rehabilitation, equal opportunity and treatment, and human relations education. Following a career spanning more than 20 years of honorable service to his beloved country, Maj. David Rest retired to Warrensburg, Missouri with his family. In retirement David retained a close connection with the United States Air Force by giving hundreds of tours of the Oscar-01 Launch Control Facility, at Whiteman AFB.

A multi-talented individual, David began playing the piano at age 4 and continued to play at his father's church as a youngster.  His keyboard talents served him well throughout life.  He played as a teen and young man at Chicago area establishments and gatherings.  His piano skills brought joy to countless family and Air Force functions (even played with Tops In Blue while in Japan).  Following his retirement from military service, David played piano professionally at an assortment of events and venues, including 18 years at the Adam's Mark Hotel, in Kansas City.  David was a caring community member and volunteered his time in organizations including the Sunrise Optimist Club (one term as president), member of American Legion, and a board member of West-Central Independent Living Solutions (WILS). He attended the Catholic Church with Barbara, where he was lovingly considered to be three-quarters Catholic.  Having lived in Warrensburg for decades, he greatly enjoyed dining out, playing golf for many years, and visiting with his many friends and acquaintances.  While he was well-known for his piano playing excellence, he was perhaps equally recognized for his love of sharing the latest joke or reporting his take on a hot political topic.  Dave will be missed by his family, his friends, his community and his country. Any donations may be made to any Veteran organization in his name (eg. Wounded Warriors, Veterans Home, American Legion, etc.).