Marylyn J. (LaMar) Robertson, and her husband Franklin G. Robertson passed away in Kansas City. Marylyn passed away June 12, 2025, and her husband, Franklin G. Robertson, passed away June 18, 2025.
Marylyn was born on May 3, 1934, in Maryville to Stephen George and Iola Matilda (Dowden) LaMar.
She graduated from Maryville High School and NW Missouri State, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and English and minored in Spanish. Marylyn earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado. She was a Music Educator for 40 years and retired from the North Kansas City School District. She was an accomplished pianist and taught privately. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Creator of KC Children’s Chorus for the Lyric Opera, Tri Sigma Sorority at NW Missouri State, Board Member of KC Civic Opera Theatre and led the choir performance for Martin Luther King in the 1960’s.
She married Franklin Gordon Robertson on August 18, 1957 in Elmo, Missouri.
Gordon was born on October 25, 1933 in Fillmore, Missouri to Franklin Gordon Robertson, Senior and Ethel (Bowman) Robertson. He was valedictorian of his class.
Gordon was a Band Director for the North Kansas City High School, Music Business Owner, Missouri Bandmaster’s Association, conductor for the KC Community Opera, and worked for the US Postal Service. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from NWMS.
Master of Music from the University of Colorado. He enjoyed travel, civic opera theatre, Italian Opera, band marches, and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. He was a gun and military history enthusiast, gem and rock collector. He played trumpet in jazz bands and played for Martin Luther King in the 1960’s.
He served in the US Army and was stationed in Munich 1955–1957 and served in the Missouri National Guard.
Gordon and Marylyn were preceded in death by their parents and Marylyn’s two sisters, Barbara Gromer and Jane Haider.
They are survived by their family, Carol Robertson Royster and Katie Ruiz (daughters), Liam Royster, Gillian Royster, Nicolas and Lissette Ruiz, Ariana Ruiz (grandchildren), Steve Ruiz (son-in-law), Dixie James and Judy Thompson (sisters), Mike Bowman, Susan Fallon, David Bowman, Gaylen Bowman, Martha, Sarah and Robert Stewart (Gordon’s cousins).
Celebration of Life for Marylyn and Gordon will be held at 11am Saturday, July 12th at the Elmo United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at LaMar Cemetery in Elmo, Missouri.
