RE: Becoming a gunsmith?
Don't know of one in Kansas but there is a very good one at Trinidad,Colorado.
The man that does my stuff has gone there and take a refresher course almost every summer.
I heard there is one in Oklahoma which would be closer but I have no info.
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and don't know the how his business was set up, but if you could buy some or all of the equipment it would save you a lot of money.
The only reason I don't do some of my own stuff is the equipment part.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out. It could mean some business for you.