John A. "Jack" Ferris of Overland Park, KS passed away on April 14, 2022. He was born on October 15, 1937, in Chicago, IL and was raised primarily in Farmington, Iowa. He completed his formal education at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa and worked as an accountant at many firms across the country before retiring from Sprint. After retirement, he used his accounting skills to assist several non-profit organizations in the Kansas City area.
He met his wife Catherine “Cathy” Burtt while they were both singing in the chorus of their joint-college musicals. Cathy was at Marycrest (women), and Jack was at St. Ambrose (men). They were married on September 10, 1960, in Downers Grove, IL and spent their lives together happily for nearly 62 years.
Jack was a member of Cure' of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS for over 40 years. He was an avid lover of sacred and classical music and was a tenor with the choir, singing at Mass almost every Sunday. He was instrumental in starting the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Peace Council #9856 at Cure' of Ars in 1988 and was a 4th Degree Knight, serving as Assembly 3141 comptroller until his death.
Jack was also an award-winning model railroader, spending countless hours building O-Scale model trains. He was a member of the Turkey Creek Division of the National Model Railroad Association and was very active in building display models shown publicly across the metro area.
He is preceded in death by an infant son Anthony, his parents, Mable V. and John “Jack” H. Ferris, his sister Virginia “Ginger” Margaglione, and his brother Donald “Don” Ferris. He is survived by his sister Jane Smolik of Colorado Springs, CO, his brother Mike Ferris of Camano Island, Washington, his brother Joe Ferris (Dawn) of Grand Island, NE, his sister-in-law Joyce Ferris (Don decd.) and many nieces and nephews.
Jack and Cathy have four children, Julie A. Mack (John decd.) of Fairway, KS, Suzy Williams (Scott) of Prairie Village, KS, Colleen Ferris of Overland Park, KS and Kevin Ferris of Overland Park, KS. They have 5 grandchildren, Zachary Williams, Megan Mack-Corkran (Kiel), John Mack, III, Samantha Williams and Kyle Mack, all of whom live in the area.
Rosary and Visitation will be held from 6:00-7:30pm on Saturday, April 23rd and the Funeral will be held on Sunday, April 24th at 2:00 pm, both at Cure' of Ars Catholic Church at 9401 Mission Road in Leawood, KS. (Wearing of masks is encouraged). Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, KS at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Catholic Charities or Cure' of Ars Catholic Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Ferris family.
