Born on March 25, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, John was the son of Harry and Hedvig Gronberg, growing up in a proud Swedish family. He spent his childhood in Mission, Kansas alongside his beloved brother Rich, and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1956. Following high school, John proudly served in the United States Navy as a Plane Captain on a P2V Neptune Anti-Submarine Bomber, flying missions out of Guantanamo Bay just prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Upon returning to civilian life, John dedicated 38 years to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Throughout his career, he held several key positions, most notably working with the engineering department building airport facilities and air traffic control towers. Following his retirement from the FAA, he continued his career for another 6 years with Lockheed Martin in project management.
John and his bride, Connie, shared a beautiful marriage of 40 years, building a wonderful life and family together. They shared a deep love for travel, exploring destinations like the Caribbean, Barbados, Hawaii, and Key West, alongside frequent spontaneous road trips across the United States. Always a sailor at heart, John spent many years captaining his own sailboat on Perry Lake.
A man of diverse passions, John was a skilled cabinet maker and woodworker, proudly following in his father's footsteps. His creative and active spirit led him to become a talented artist and painter, a race car driver, a motorcyclist, a flight instructor, a dedicated cyclist on local bike trails, and a regular swimmer at the Matt Ross Community Center. He also loved simple daily routines, especially his trips to Starbucks for an XL Pike Place roast—with 1 more to go!
John found great joy in searching for treasures at estate sales with Connie, reading, and sitting down for a competitive game of Chess or Scrabble. Above all, John was devoted to his family. Spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren always made him laugh and brought a huge smile to his face. He was famous for giving the biggest and best hugs, and he endlessly spoiled his granddogs with backrubs and affection.
John was a cherished son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Best known to those who loved him as "Papa," his warmth, humor, and legacy of love will be deeply missed and forever celebrated.
John was preceded in death by his dad Harry, mom Hedvig, and brother Rich.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Gronberg; 4 children Karen Shaner (husband John), Scott Gronberg (wife Crystal), Sheri Weis (husband Fran), and Cindy Predmore; 6 grandchildren Katie Gronberg, Jacob Gronberg, Melanie Shaner, Dalton Branscum, Aiden Weis, and Ava Weis; 2 great-grandchildren Jace Sweet and Winsley Witter.
