Rosary prayers for John will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 10:20 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 NE Shady Ln Dr, Kansas City, MO 64118 where a visitation will follow until 11:00 AM. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM Friday, also at St. Charles Parish. The burial will take place at Terrace Park Cemetery at 1:30pm the same day.
John was born on March 27, 1935, in Freemont, Nebraska to Francis Albert Kavan and Leita Martin Kavan. John graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. John married Leona Nadine Wallin, his college sweetheart, on June 14, 1958. After moving to Kansas City, Missouri, John began working for Farmland Industries as a sales director. He later became a professor for architecture, engineering, and math at several surrounding colleges. The couple welcomed three children into their home: John Paul, Thomas Michael, and Lea Ann. His children remember him as a kind, gentle, patient, hard-working father who encouraged them to pursue their goals. John was also an accomplished tax preparer and manager for H&R Block. He was a generous individual who loved the Catholic church and who was passionate about donating to charity and educating others. John was an active and dedicated member of the Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and often volunteered as a bridge teacher for multiple church groups.
John is preceded in death by his mother, Leita Martin Kavan, his father, Francis Albert Kavan, and his wife, Leona Nadine Kavan, known as Lee.
John is survived by his three children: John Paul Kavan, Thomas Michael Kavan, and Lea Ann Boylan, and by his grandchildren: Zackary Tanner Miller, Sophia Lima, Ian Carlton Kavan, Emma Anne Kavan, David Seaborn Boylan II, and Lauren Elizabeth Boylan.
In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church: 900 NE Shady Lane, Kansas City, MO 64118.
The family would like to thank the End of Life Hospice nurses and doctors at North Kansas City Hospital for their loving care of John.
