Ciro "Corky" Badami has crossed the finish line. Corky ran his race full throttle, with steady hands and a heart wide open. As we wave him in, we remember the legacy he left.

Corky brought love, joy, and laughter to every person he met—especially to those of us who cherished him most. Corky and his wife, Charlene Badami (née Hooper), were married for 64 beautiful years and shared a life raising four children as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Nothing mattered more to them than time with family, whether it was Sunday sugu, wedding celebrations, birthdays, graduations, or their many trips abroad.

Born on July 27, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, Corky remained rooted in the community that shaped him until his passing on March 19, 2025. He was the proud son of Carl "Boo Boo" Badami, a legendary Kansas City race car driver and mechanic. From just ten years old, Corky was his father's right hand at the track, many times excused from school to join the racing circuit. Those early experiences forged a lifelong passion for racing and mechanics that would define much of his life.

Corky's own racing career spanned 14 years. He competed primarily on small Midwest tracks, just missing the Olympic Stadium era. As the midget racing scene waned, he shifted gears into drag racing and later go-karts, where he achieved national recognition. Recruited by a go-kart manufacturer in California, Corky raced for their team for several years before returning to dominate the Midwest circuit. One of his most iconic rides was a TQ midget he built with his father—a machine so advanced it was eventually outlawed for being too fast. Corky won nearly every race in that car, once even being disqualified mid-race, only to return from the concession stand to find his trophy packed up and his car banned.

Corky was also a successful and serial entrepreneur. He began his working life as a barber, owning the Grand Prix Barbershop in Independence, Missouri, and later the King's Den on the Country Club Plaza. His business acumen extended beyond the chair—he owned and operated several restaurants, including locations in the Texas Tom's chain and various pizza delivery ventures. Later, he founded Asphalt Renew paving company.

Corky was deeply proud of his Italian-American heritage and remained active in the northeast Kansas City community. He was a member of the American Sons of Columbus and a faithful parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Above all, Corky was a devoted family man. He and Charlene raised four children: Christopher Badami (his wife, Linda Badami), Michael Badami (his wife, Renee Badami), Angel Yanez (her husband, Sabin Yanez), and the late Carl Badami (his wife, Florene Badami).

Along with his wife and children, he leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren each of whom carries a piece of his wit, work ethic, and warmth—and the vast array of stories he never failed to share at every family gathering: Christopher and Danielle Rosenthal; Anthony, Steven, and Michael Badami; Nate, Brayden; Adrianne Padilla and Trevor, Ellee, Olyvia, Lucas, Vanellope, Rowan; Alexis Rivera and Nathan, Leo; Anna Giordano and Nicholas; Matthew and Sarah, Ava and Hudson Burnett, Michael, Sarah, Isabella Badami, and Selena Badami; Charlene Badami and his namesake Ciro Badami.

Corky was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Margaret (Arnone) Badami, his sister Rosalee, and his son Carl Badami.  He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Carol (Badami) Leocardi and Frank Leocardi.  Also survived by his brother-in-law Charles Hooper, and several nieces and nephews.

We would also like to recognize the tremendous care provided by Dr. Sara Deffenbaugh, MD, and the ACG Hospice team: Miranda, Kim, Jim, Megan, Shanae and Hannah.

The family asks that any donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital . Corky was a lifelong sponsor of many little children receiving life-giving care from this outstanding care facility.

What a ride it was…  Please join us to celebrate it.

The Funeral Service will begin at 4:00 p.m. followed by Visitation from 4:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com