Douglas James Fencl passed away, hours after receiving Last Rites, with his two sons by his side, on March 4, 2026, at KU Medical Center. He was born in Wahoo, NE on April 25, 1950, the son of Ruby (Hines) and James Fencl. He is survived by his sons, Matthew and Christopher; his brother-in-laws James Secunda (and his wife Deborah) and John Secunda (and his wife Patty); his sister-in-law, LeAnne Peters and her five children - Christina, Alexandra, Gunnar, David, and Veronica; and his nephew, Michael Kruger. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Mary Francis (2022) and his sister, Marsha (2025).
Doug was raised in Nebraska and attended Wayne State College. He was admitted into the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1972. Initially assigned to Washington, D.C., he later transferred to New York City, where he met and married Mary Francis in 1979. His final assignment was in Kansas City, where he worked from 1986 until his retirement in 2004.
Doug had a keen interest in Biblical theology, earning an M.A. in Religious Studies in 2006. He was actively involved in prison ministry at Leavenworth Penitentiary for several years. After his wife's admission into the Catholic Church in 2008, Doug returned to the Catholic faith in which he was raised.
An avid traveler, Doug visited countries in six continents. He had a special attachment to the Holy Land and its Biblical and historical sites, which he researched and traveled to several times.
As a hobby, he enjoyed fiction writing, and recently finished a crime novel.
In his final years he assisted with funerals at the Church and volunteered at a local food pantry. His favorite spiritual devotion was praying the Holy Rosary, which he recited daily.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Church of the Ascension, located at 9510 West 127th, Overland Park, Kansas. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM, funeral Mass at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception luncheon. For those who are available to participate, a rosary will be prayed at 8:45 AM, before the visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Church of the Ascension or Catholic Charities of NE Kansas.