John Thomas Kasper Jr.

John Thomas Kasper, Jr., passed away peacefully at home, on April 23, 2025 at the age of 85. John was born February 12, 1940 in Mansfield, Ohio to John Thomas, Sr. and Marjorie Kasper. He was the proud oldest brother of four boys.

John graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1958. He joined the United States Air Force shortly thereafter. Wanting to be a Radio Repair Technician upon his enlistment, he was disappointed to learn that he had just missed the most recent training program for this specialty. Not to be deterred, he was offered the bypass test and with his sharp wit and intelligence, passed it with flying colors. He honorably served his four years of service at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC. Upon his discharge he worked at Phoenix Electric as an electrician until 1981. He then partnered with coworkers to open KBZ Electric in Mansfield. He retired from KBZ in 2003.

The beautiful and statuesque Dorothy Groscost shared with a friend that she would love to go on a date with someone with whom she could wear high heels. John’s name was suggested and it was in that moment that a blind date set everything for the next 58 years in motion. John and Dottie were married on November 25, 1966. John eagerly welcomed the ‘package deal’ of Dottie, along with her two small children, Pam and David. They joyously added to their growing family in the ensuing years with the births of Kristine, Sean and Kimberly. Being a father was taken seriously by John, and he enjoyed his role as a Boy Scout leader, fishing advisor, and willing wrestler when more than one kid would dog pile upon him.

He was a man who took great pride in his work, both professionally and at home. When the last of their five children left the nest, he and Dottie took on the project of building a new home together in 1995. His electrical wiring was meticulous and all mitered corners were cut to perfection. He even had a new garage built to house his beloved 1969 Boss Mustang 302. John was a tower of a man, standing at 6’ 6” and possessing an obscene amount of natural bodily strength. He could swing a sledgehammer with ease and move giant rocks as if they were pebbles.

John is survived by the lovely Dottie Kasper, as well as his sons, David Groscost (Michele); Sean Kasper (Kate); and daughters Kristine Kasper (Chris); and Kimberly Bork (Rod). He loved his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed teaching them how to split wood, drive the mower and build a fire. Many a bonfire night on their beautiful property will hold a cherished place in all of their hearts. John was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his daughter Pam, and three younger brothers, Paul, Don and Jim. An open house service will be held at Wappner Funeral Directors-Mansfield, 98 S. Diamond Street, on Wednesday, April 30th from 4 to 6pm. A private interment with military recognition will follow the next day. The family would like to thank Ohio Health Hospice for their support in his last two months of life. It must be mentioned that Dottie cared so beautifully and tenderly to meet John’s health needs, and was by his side to the very end of their amazing journey through life together.