John M Kochanski

October 14th, 1941 – May 18th, 2026

Lt. Col (Ret) John “Jack” Kochanski passed away on May 18th 2024. He was born on October 14th, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to Joseph and Mildred (Gephardt) Kochanski.

After graduating from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Jack received an appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado graduating in 1963. His early assignments were to Texas, Pakistan, and Maryland in Air Force Intelligence. In 1967, Jack entered pilot training in San Antonio and upon graduating a year later, soon started piloting the C-130 transport in Southeast Asia supporting the Vietnam War. In that theater of operations, Jack was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After four years of instructing C-130 replacement aircrews bound for Vietnam at Little Rock AFB, Jack earned his master’s degree in business from New Mexico Highlands University while assigned to the Air Force’s Operational Test Center at Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The prototype C-17 transport was the focus of the Air Force operational testing at the time and Jack was a team member. He also maintained currency in the T-39 aircraft based at Kirkland during his assignment. His later Air Force years were assignments to HQ MAC, Scott AFB Illinois and a return assignment to Little Rock AFB.

Following retirement from the Air Force, Jack then had a further successful 25 management career with Xerox, and several other corporations, in the Kansas City area.

He enjoyed his later years as a member of his Parish’s Knights of Columbus Council, and he was very proud of its charitable accomplishments.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carleen (Cook) Kochanski, their daughters Kristin Kochanski (Dan Crowe) and Lori Kochanski-Hayde (Mark), his sister, Mary Alice Willett, his sister in law, Mary Ann (Giudici) Kochanski, and many nieces and nephews that were a big part of his life and who brought him much joy through the years.

Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph “Joe” Kochanski, loving husband to Mary Ann.

A funeral mass will be held in Jack’s honor on Wednesday, June 17th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Independence, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Independence Police Department or Independence Fire Department as the family appreciated so much their professionalism, respect and courtesy the night that Jack passed. The family is forever grateful.