John Thomas Levi Jr.

Colonel (Ret.) John T. Levi left for his next journey on January 8th, 2024. He was 95 years old. He was born to John and Helen Levi in Lawrence, Kansas (Haskell). He attended various Indian Schools in Kansas, New Mexico, and North and South Dakota. He graduated from Wahpeton, North Dakota High School. He was an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma.

John received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and Education Administration from Wichita State University. He taught school and coached at USD 259 (North High and Hadley Jr. High) in Wichita, KS for 35 years. He was active in the American Legion baseball, Greater Wichita Football League, and Little League programs.

In Wichita, he was active in Native American affairs and ceremonies. He was one of the original Board members of the Mid-America All-Indian Center and an original member of the Wichita Inter-tribal Warrior Society (Veterans). John was proud of his Native American heritage.

Colonel Levi proudly served his country for 32 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps as a Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsman. He saw combat with the 1st Marine Division in Korea and participated in battles at the Inchon Landing, Seoul Recapture, and at the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. After serving in the Navy, John received a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve and served 27 years in various areas of command, retiring as a Colonel in the Infantry, USAR.

In 1991, he and his wife, Mary Ann, retired to Green Valley, Arizona. He became a member of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, serving in various positions including Elder. He also was a member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, VFW, Arizona Korean War Veterans, and “The Chosin Few.”

John is preceded in death by son-in-law David Vignatelli, Wichita, KS, and survived by his wife Mary Ann, Green Valley, AZ; sister, Julianne Barnes, Akwesasne, NY; daughters, Lynette Vignatelli and Sally Levi, Wichita, KS; granddaughters Perrine Vignatelli, Wichita, KS, and Juliann (Daniel) Perez, Bronx, NY; great-grandson Kash; step-children, J.R. Modlin and Tiffany (Curt) Macey; 5 step-grandchildren, Natasha, Damon, Ryan, Tyler and Jacob; as well as a host of loving relatives and friends.

A military memorial service and interment will be held at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 US-54, Wichita, KS 67209 on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Haskell Light (Lutheran Indian Ministries) 137 Pawnee Ave, Lawrence, KS 66046