Phillip "Sonny" Lee Cairo, 82, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

A service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Carney officiating. A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm the night prior. Burial will occur at a later date at Doniphan Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society and can be sent in care of Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Condolences can be left online at www.beckerdyer.com

Sonny was born on August 6, 1942, in Atchison, Kansas, the son of John and Mary (Balsom) Cairo. After graduating from Atchison High School in 1960, Sonny joined the Army and was enlisted until 1969. Sonny worked at Bradken doing moulding until his retirement. Sonny married Lenora Welch on June 28, 1986. They were married thirty-five years before Lenora passed away in 2022. Sonny was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and listened to the Bible on his CD player daily. He enjoyed playing pitch, watching deer and eagles, mushroom hunting, target shooting with his children and grandchildren, watching his favorite show Gunsmoke, and listening to Cher. He was a big Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns fan.

Sonny is survived by sons Aaron (Kylee) Cairo, Atchison, KS, Joshua (Jennifer Hernandez) Cairo, Atchison, KS, Rick (Rhonda) Cairo, Atchison, KS, and Mike (Roberta) Cairo, Horton, KS, daughters Angie (Keith) Cairo-Clemens, Atchison, KS, Meredith Scherer, Atchison, KS, Christy (Derek) Noll, Horton, KS, Tina (J.R.) Bilderback, Atchison, KS, and Veronica Fultz, Huron, KS, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sonny is preceded by his wife Lenora, son Tony Cairo, and sisters Helen Wolters and Emma Pool.