Joseph Megerman, 49, died peacefully at his home in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 3.
Funeral services were held on June 5 at Louis Memorial Chapel with burial following at Sheffield Cemetery.
Joseph was born on May 3, 1977, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Charles and Esther Megerman. Joseph graduated from Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, received his B.A. in history from the University of Missouri (MU) and his J.D. at Cardozo School of Law. Passionate about justice and the Sixth Amendment, Joseph dedicated his legal career to public defense, serving indigent clients in both the Kansas City and Harrisonville offices of the Missouri State Public Defender for more than two decades.
Joseph attended Camp Ramah in Wisconsin from 8th through 12th grade and returned as a counselor for his freshman and sophomore years of college. At Ramah, he was affectionately known as “Shmeggie” by campers and staff alike. Joseph was a founding member of the “pretty good 12,” which rechartered BBYO’s Twos AZA #2 in 1994, where he served as the first “Minister of Fun, Religion, and Fun Religion.” He served as president of the MU Deuteron AEPi chapter from 1997-1998, and he was president of Congregation Beth Israel Abraham and Voliner (BIAV) from 2013-2015.
Joseph met the love of his life, Alice, at the Kansas City Public Defender’s Office. They shared 15 wonderful years of marriage and built a beautiful family together, raising daughters Golda and Orli. As the only son and brother, Joseph was an important member of the Megerman family and was deeply loved by his parents and sisters, Rachel, Eliana and Shira.
Joseph made lifelong friends wherever he went. He was known for his intellect, quick wit, infectious laugh and great sense of humor. A devoted fan of the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, he also loved science fiction, karaoke, podcasts, and, with his signature moves, dancing like no one was watching. Whether as a friend, lawyer, uncle, brother, son, husband, father or member of the Jewish community, Joseph brought warmth, humor and authenticity to every relationship. There was truly no one like him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Megerman; father-in-law, Bob Wasson; brother-in-law, Michael Coleman; and nephew, Mikey Coleman.
Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Alice; daughters, Golda and Orli; mother, Esther Megerman of Overland Park; mother-in-law, Arthea Wasson of Sedalia, Missouri; sisters, Rachel Coleman of Kansas City, Kansas, Eliana Megerman (Michael Merdinger) of Modi’in, Israel, and Shira Megerman of New Haven, Connecticut; sisters-in-law Emily Greer (Matt) of Monroe, North Carolina, and Thea Carlyle (Kevin) of Kansas City, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
The family is deeply grateful to the BIAV community for its unwavering love and support and to all of his friends across the globe who meant so much to him.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to BIAV or Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.