John Ferguson Ingraham

John Ferguson Ingraham died peacefully on December 26th, 2015 while visiting family in St. Charles Illinois. John was the youngest child born to Robert James and Courtenay Ferguson Ingraham on February 28th, 1928 in Kansas City Missouri. He grew up in Kansas City where he attended Bryant Elementary, Southwest High School and Pembroke Country Day School. John completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri and University of Michigan and later received his JD from the University of Michigan Law School.

After law school, John worked for Judge Duncan in Kansas City, Missouri for several years and then joined his Father and Brother as partner in the Ingraham and Ingraham Law firm. During this period he was the Secretary of the Police Retirement Board, and was on the Board of Directors and General Counsel for the Nelly Don Corporation. In later years, he left private practice to become an Assistant City Attorney in Kansas City. In this role he was active in the Kansas City Economic Development Organization serving as Secretary and was once referred to as “one of the most important people in Kansas City” by the Kansas City Star. After serving the city, he was the General Counsel for UETC (Urban Energy and Transportation Corporation). In 2010 John was awarded the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent, a significant accomplishment that rated John at the highest level of legal ability and ethical standards. He also enjoyed membership in the Missouri Bar Association, the Kansas City Bar Association, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, University of Michigan Alumnae Assoc., Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City and Vanguard.

John met the love of his life Ileana Lindh on a ski slope in Michigan. He offered to help her up after a fall while skiing. They married on August 29th, 1953. John was Ileana's caretaker and constant companion, especially in recent years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He took great care to always include Ileana in all decisions despite her disease. Together they had 4 children; Karin, Susannah, Kathleen and John.

John cared deeply about family. He enjoyed visits to Dallas, Vail and St. Charles to see his children and grandchildren and always looked forward to the next visit. He was an avid researcher and spent many hours exploring his family ancestry. He enjoyed playing tennis, as well as skiing, fly fishing and spending time in the mountains of Colorado. He also loved cheering for the Missouri Tigers and Michigan Wolverines, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Kansas City Missouri was home to John for 87 years and his love for Kansas City was evident in all aspects of his life as he enthusiastically embraced growth and development in his hometown. He often referred to Kansas City as the “best kept secret”.

John is survived by his wife, Ileana L. Ingraham, his four children; Karin and son-in-law Dean Johnson, Susannah and son-in-law Mark Lesswing, Kathleen, John and daughter-in-law Monica Ingraham; grandchildren, Tori and Stephanie Johnson, Bryan, Kate and Will Lesswing, Courtenay and Katherine Barclay, Jack, Ryan and Kyle Ingraham, his nieces, Courtenay Wolf, Vicki Ingraham, Mary Ingraham and nephews; Rob Ingraham, Brian Bodycombe and Christopher Bodycombe. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Richard Bodycombe. He was preceded in death by his parents; Robert James and Courtenay Ingraham, brother, Robert Jay Ingraham, sister-in-laws; Karin Bodycombe, Patricia Ingraham and nephew, Peter Lindh Bodycombe.

Memorial Donations may be made to: The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (check payable MONC-KC District) c/o Ann Hauser, District Asst. Director, 9685 Outlook Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66207 and The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, 1725 Holmes Street, Kansas City Missouri 64108 Attn: Lea Petrie

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 30th at 11:00 am and a Memorial Service will follow at 12:00 pm at

McGilley Midtown Chapel 20 West Linwood, Kansas City Missouri. Online condolences may be offered at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com. McGilley Midtown Chapel, 816-753-6200.