John was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Glennon High School in 1952. He worked for many years as a lithographer, was a proud member of the Graphic Communications International Union, Local 235-M, and spent his last 30 years enjoying his retirement. John was a member of the St. Sabina Parish in Belton, Missouri and the Knights of Columbus.
John was proud to be a lifelong Kansas Citian. He enjoyed spending time on his boat, working in his yard, and feeding the local birds and deer on his property. He was lucky in that his mind was still sharp and he was still able to work in the yard up until the end. He passed in the home that he built with his wife, Gloria of 57 years who preceded him in death in 2014. He liked to keep things simple and was as loyal as they come.
John was a devoted family man who loved his family and also his friends. He and his beloved wife Gloria were famous for hosting parties, holiday picnics, barbeques, and Christmas Eve, with John right in the thick of things leading the fun. He was an avid sports fan. John attended every home opener of the Kansas City Royals from 1973 until 2014. He was a long-time Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder prior to passing the “ball” to his eldest son Tom thirty years ago. He and Gloria followed the Chiefs to California for the very first Super Bowl in 1967. John came to love the Kansas Jayhawks with the arrival of his daughters-in-law, Sarah and Christine and enjoyed the Rock Chalk Chant as much as they do.
John is survived by his daughter and son- in-law Julie and Ted Lunn; sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Christine Walters, Gary and Sarah Walters, Timothy and Yada Walters, Matthew and Orna Walters; and grandchildren Libby, Sam, Ben, Meghan, Ryan, Mollie and Connor. He is also survived by his friend and companion Quin Henry. He was a kind man who had a great laugh and a voice that could scare the pants off of you when he wanted to. He was loved and will be missed.
Visitation will be held from 1:00pm-1:30pm followed by a memorial service at 1:30pm Saturday, July 17th, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to MS Society, 7611 State Line Rd., Ste. 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 and/or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 6811 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Ste. 202, Cloverleaf Bldg., Shawnee Mission, KS 66207.
