Arthur Leslie “Sonny” Sewell Jr.

Arthur Leslie “Sonny” Sewell Jr., 78, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 15, at his home surrounded by his wife Linda and loved ones. Sonny was born August 28th, 1942 in his grandmother’s house, 415 S. Tower St., Nevada, Mo. Aunt Dora McGee, who helped deliver Sonny gave the first bottom slap. Dora always claimed it wasn’t hard enough.

Sonny left his parents home in his younger teen years to live with his aunt and uncle in Huntington, West Virginia, returning to Nevada two years later to work at Capri Bowl. In 1965 he moved to Harrisonville, Mo., where he met and married his wife of 49 years, Linda Kay Spangler. To this union four sons were born.

Sonny worked at Anaconda Wire and Cable, as production expeditor for 15 years. Later, he worked at General Motors in Kansas City, Mo. In 1981 he worked in oil fields at Hoisington, Kan. In 2003, Arthur and Linda sold their Sheldon, Mo., home of 23 years to buy Sonny’s homeplace at 328 S. Tower, where his mother and father had started a Bait Shop in 1975. Sonny always would laugh that he made it a block from his birthplace. He operated the Bait Shop for 17 years.

In November of 2018 Sonny was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Sonny was battling this cancer when he fell and broke his leg and hip Aug. 18. During the recovery time to resume cancer treatments, he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Sonny could not recover enough from COVID to resume his chemo. It would take these punches to finally end his life, along with the cancer. Sonny fought all three with such courage, thinking always of his family, worried for them.

The 17 years Sonny ran the Bait Shop was joy for him. He loved to hear stories from customers who remembered his father. Some customers of Sonny’s father now bringing their grown children and grandchildren to the little shop had memories for everyone to share with Sonny. Sonny always had a kind word and smile for everyone and bubble gum for the kids.

Sonny always had this soft spot for the children who didn’t quite have enough “pennies” for a box of worms or a cork, or you name it. Those kids somehow always left with what they would need for their fishing adventure.

Sonny’s other passions, beside the Bait Shop, were family dinners, holidays, fishing, bowling, and hunting, Sonny excelled in all of these and was loved by all.

Sonny is survived by his wife Linda of 49 years; four sons, Robert Leslie Sewell (Melinda), Sheldon, Mo., Richard Lee Sewell (Brenda) Lamar, Mo., Randall Lynn Sewell (Debby), Harrisonville, Mo., Michael Quincy Sewell (Chasity), Harrisonville, Mo.; sister, Carol Strickland, Osceola, Mo., brother, Kenneth Sewell (Debbie), Nevada, Mo., sister, Linda Chestnut (Leon), Nevada, Mo., brother, Rob Sewell (Twila), Nevada, Mo.; brother-in-law, Bill Spangler (Ellen), Neosho, Mo.; sister-in-law, Regina Sewell, Nevada, Mo.; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who dearly loved Sonny. Two children by a previous marriage, Tim Sewell (Cheri), Chesapeake, Ohio, and Cindy Sewell, Nevada, Mo. A “Special Angel” niece, Jenny Hymer, who cared and comforted “Uncle Sonny” in the last days, staying by his side till the end.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur, Sr. and Pauline Sewell; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Bonnie Spangler; brother, Danny Sewell; brother-in-law, Norman Spangler; brother-in-law, Eddie Spangler; sister-in-law, Donna Lear; brother-in-law, Jim Lear; sister-in-law, Kathy Spangler; and brother-in-law, John Strickland; two nephews, Wesley Strickland and Travis Sewell; and a niece, Tommie Lear.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with the Rev. Bill Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Sheldon Cemetery, Sheldon, Mo. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to the charity of the donor’s choice in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.