Judy Ellen Faught

Judy E Faught of Lenexa KS and Taos NM passed away Tuesday May 28th 2024 after a lifelong battle with a congenital heart defect. 

She lived a very full life, doing all the things she was told she never could. Including having children and grandchildren whom she was very proud of. 

She was preceded in death by her father James B Faught, Brothers Raymond Faught, Randy Faught,and Rick Faught. Sister Jan Katzow, The love of her life and father of her children Tom Messick. As well as her Father and Mother in-law Jack and Pat Messick.

She is survived by her Mother Adeline Faught, Uncle Bobby Hickerson, Uncle Jesse Faught, and Sister Joyce Faught. 

Children Michelle Messick and Kristopher Messick. Her nieces Tiffany Faught, Ruby Faught, and Shelly Faught. 

Her Grandchildren Johnny Messick, Athena Davies, and Scarlett Davies. And many great nieces and nephews. 

Memorial services for Judy E. Faught will be held at Kansas City Funeral Directors 4880 Shawnee Dr, Kansas City KS, 66106.

Friday June 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

Viewing/Visitation 2:00-2:45

Service to 2:45-3:30

Goodbyes 3:30-4:00

Upon their return to New Mexico Michelle and Kristopher Messick will organize a service for all of my mother's friends and loved ones there. 

Judy Ellen Faught was born to Adeline and Jim Faught in March of 1968. She was born with a heart condition called transposition of the Great vessels. A condition that causes the blood to pump backwards not allowing it to be purified or oxygenated. Fortunately there was a hole in one of the chambers of her heart, which supplied oxygen and allowed her to survive. She was a blue baby and her doctors did not believe she would live very long. Telling her mother, “we have no guarantees”

Judy was 6 years old at the time of her first open heart surgery. When she was 16 she underwent two more after losing her father Jim the year prior.  The young beauty survived and fought through to finish high school, graduating in 1986. She was determined in everything she set her mind to and continued her education in beauty school to be a barber. 

In April of 1988 Judy and her high school sweetheart Tom Messick had a baby girl and named her Michelle. Judy was told she should not have any children so, in true Judy fashion, she went on to have two. Kristopher James was born on May 29th 1992 and Judy's body was very weak. The doctors induced her into a coma to give her rest leading to 3 days of worry for her family. The family had a new baby boy to love on, but were waiting for Mommy to wake up. She did, and continued to be the most amazing mother to her children. 

Within a few months of Kristopher’s birth, Judy and Tom made a life-changing decision to move their little family to Taos, New Mexico, where Tom's mother Yvonne lived, to raise their children in the sagebrush playing with toy six guns and breathing the fresh mountain air. These years were some of the best years for the family and Judy created a whole new trajectory for herself. Just loved New Mexico and she grew as big a family there as she had in Kansas. 

Judy was incredibly thoughtful, making a point to bring the kids back to Kansas at least once a year for Christmas or Summer vacation. Ensuring that her children got to know their family in Kansas. 

She always brought the children herself braving the rugged Greyhound bus for the long 16 hour drive to Kansas. After a few years the family started taking the train which was a wonderful adventure for all. She always made it fun and she always carried herself with Grace.

They visited her mother Adeline, her sister Joyce and niece Tiffany. Sister Jan, her mother and father-in-law Jack and Pat Messick and many other cousins and friends.  These visits were frequent enough not to lose touch and to maintain the important ties with family. The trips will never be forgotten and her children's gratitude for her efforts can never be fully expressed.

In April of 1996 Judy and Tom carried out a ceremony of love and commitment to each other. Together the rambunctious pair attracted many friends, who became family, from all walks of life. They accepted people as they were and loved unconditionally while looking out for all those they cared for. 

In 2002 Judy was having more problems with her heart and was told she would again need a heart surgery to live. The troops rallied for her then as they have now. Offering up help in many forms whether it be physical labor, well wishes, prayer, a hug, or a donation.

Taos helped the family raise the funds needed to get Judy and her family to Minnesota and the Mayo clinic where they prayed again for another miracle.  Prayers were strong and Judy was stronger. She came through and returned to Kansas with her mother to recover. 

She always considered the successful surgery a second birthday. A second chance at life.   Judy the invincible came back home to her loved ones once again. By this time Michelle and Kristopher were 14 and 10 years old. Tom worked out of town to support the family while Judy held down the fort. She took care of everything and did it without complaints. She cooked, cleaned, listened, showed up to all the school functions and took ALL of the pictures. This is one thing people will remember most about Judy In her adult life. She was the photographer and kept a great legacy of visual memories for all of us to cherish always. 

When Michelle and Kristopher flew the coop Judy became more and more homesick, not for Kansas but for her mom and sister. 

After Judy lost her sister Jan she carried a constant sorrow in her heart and missed her literally every day. It was a toll one could see. Janny left this world in 2006 and Judy was brokenhearted in a new way. 

In 2009 Judy became a grandma to Johnny Messick and in 2012 a grandmother to Athena Davies. It took years still for her to decide to it was time to return. In July of 2015 she headed off to Kansas to live. She left New Mexico, her children and grandchildren to come home to be with her family who she loved dearly. 

Unfortunately things took another unexpected turn and Tom had a heart attack in his sleep the night of August 22nd and passed away at the age of 47.  Judy's heart was again broken as she returned to lay him to rest in the forest of Tres Piedras, a very special place for the whole family.  Afterwards she headed back to Kansas to carry out her plans of being with, and helping her mom.  Judy rose to the occasion and embraced her purpose. She dearly missed her children and grandchildren in New Mexico and traveled back as often and for as long as her health would allow. 

In 2017 she visited New Mexico for Christmas hoping to be there when her third granddaughter Scarlett was born.  Her train left New Mexico on January 6th and Scarlet Rose was born 3 days later. She returned to visit  in April to celebrate Michelle's 30th birthday and meet baby Scarlett whom she adored and is very much her look-a-like.  Her grandchildren were a source of great pride and she loved them beyond measure. Judy and Tom were both supportive in all ventures their children pursued and bragged about them to everyone. They encouraged their growth in every way.

Judy will always be remembered for her humor, her easy going nature, her ability to make fast friends and her positive determination.  She'll be remembered as a beloved daughter, a caring mother, and a loving sister. But above all she will be remembered as a human being who constantly defeated the odds, fought against hardship and did it all with a positive attitude and a smile on her face.