John Martin Begley

John was born in 1963, in Missouri, to Shirley and Francis. When his family moved to Kansas in 1970, he attended Curé of Ars grade school, Rockhurst High School, and he graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School.

John grew up with a strong love for music which led him to start a band in high school, in which he played the drums. His passion for drumming stayed with him throughout his life as he was still taking lessons to read and play multiple genres of music, with the most recent being Jazz.

His work life began during his high school years when he worked at Taco Via where he made lifelong friends and still enjoyed the food to this day. Although he liked working at Taco Via, in 1985, John decided to pursue a career with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He worked there for 40 years, eventually becoming the Facilities Manager for Region VII.

John’s first child, Rachele, was born in 1985, followed by Nicholas in 1992, and Matthew in 1994. He loved his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending all of their school sporting events and concerts. He was also a beloved uncle who never missed an extended family event. He even volunteered to coach his nephew, Patrick’s, Curé of Ars 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball team in 2005. The team won first place in the CYO tournament and John was so proud of the boys’ accomplishment.

John was an avid Chiefs fan, who preferred to watch the games from home so he could listen to the play by plays from talk radio announcers. He loved going to the gym to work out, his dogs, Axel and Bobbie Roo, and sitting outside with the sun shining down on him. John also loved to joke around, had a very sharp wit, and had great one liners and retorts. He also enjoyed pranks, to which his friends and co-workers can attest.

John received a tough diagnosis last year, but was always positive about his prognosis and treatments. He continued to work out at the gym until this past spring, and never complained to friends nor family. He was a perfect example of grace under fire. His Catholic faith was his stability and he took comfort in the crucifix and kept one with him at all times.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Shirley. He is survived by his sister, Alison (Samuel), his children, Rachele (Levi), Nicholas, and Matthew, and grandchildren, Jacklynn and Dominic. He also leaves behind many dear friends, cousins, nephews, a niece, and aunts. John was able to stay in his own home for as long as possible because of his dear friend, Jhana, who tended to him daily with much love and compassion. His last weeks at his parents’ home were made possible by his daughter, Rachele and her husband, Levi, who took a leave of absence from work to care for John. Their support meant the world to him.

We would like to thank all of John’s friends for their compassion and visits to the hospital. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Research Medical Center, especially the Neuro ICU, the Neuro PCU, and the Rehabilitation staff.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 28 at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS, 66206. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 am, followed by a Visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am. John will be laid to rest in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS, 66215 at 2:00 pm after a luncheon at the church.