John R. Merchant

He was born February 5, 1937 in San Antonio, Texas to Eule and Ruby Merchant. John began a lengthy career with TWA starting at the Wheeler Downtown Airport. He retired in 1987 as a sheet metal mechanic. While at TWA, he volunteered to restore many vintage aircraft including the Northrup Alpha Airplane (orig. 1930) which is now hanging in the National Air and Space Museum/Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

John was extremely active with the NKC Alpha Masonic Lodge #659. He served in many different roles and responsibilities including Worshipful Master.

Many of John’s other hobbies included hunting, expert range shooter, and golfing. John and Gaye were members of the Square Dancing Group, The Do-Si-Doers, where they traveled around the country visiting every state in the union except for two.

John was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings.

Survivors include his wife of 64 ½ years, Gaye; their children, Sandra (John) Hughes and John William Merchant; two grandchildren, Kelly (Jancy) Harrison-Hughes and Max Merchant; three great grandchildren, Kemper, Cooper, and Knox; three nieces, Sheri Frazier, Sue Rathbone, and Linda (Gene) Koechner; and many extended family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your choice of North Cross Methodist Church (1321 N.E. Vivion Road, KCMO 64118) or NKC Alpha Masonic Lodge (2105 Iron St, KCMO 64116) and note In Memory of John R Merchant.