John English Obituary

Dr. John Cammel English, 83, of Baldwin City, Kansas passed away April 5, 2018 in Lawrence, KS. He was born December 4, 1934 in Kansas City, MO the son of Jacob Cammel and Grace (Mortenson) English.

John graduated from Joplin High School, Joplin, MO and attended Washington University (St. Louis) where he obtained his bachelor's degree in history and was selected Phi Beta Kappa. He received his master's degree from Yale University Divinity School in 1958 and in 1965 he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Vanderbilt University.

John began his teaching career as a college teacher in 1962, retiring in 1997. After teaching for three years at Stephen F. Austin in Texas he joined faculty at Baker University in 1965, was promoted to full professor in 1968 and served as the Chair of the History and Political Science Department from 1965 to 1973 and from 1983 to 1993. He was responsible especially for courses on English History and the techniques of historical research. John fostered the teaching of Asian civilizations and promoted the humanities' role in undergraduate education.

He received a fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education to study South Asian affairs at the University of Chicago during the 1969-1970 academic year. Later he organized and directed a team-taught, interdisciplinary course in the humanities, entitled the Shaping of Western Thought.

The life and times of John Wesley, the principal founder of Methodism, was the focus of John's research. He served as Chair of the Section of Education and Research of the Historical Society of the United Methodist Church, 1989-1990. He was the first American invited to deliver the Annual Lecture of the Wesley Historical Society of Great Britain. John presented a number of papers to conferences in the United States and elsewhere and published a series of Articles on Wesley in American and foreign journals. He was the first recipient of Baker's Distinguished Scholarship award. This past February John was inducted in the Baker University Faculty Hall of Fame.

On July 29, 1966 John was united in marriage to Evonne Kludas at the Methodist church in Cherokee, IA. They have shared fifty-one years of loving marriage.

John is survived by his wife, Evonne English, Baldwin City; nephews and niece; Daniel Lundy and his wife, Lezlie, Zearing, IA, Diane Taylor and her husband, John, New Providence, IA, David Lundy, Arlington, VA.

Dr. English is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert English.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday April 12, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, Baldwin City. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, Baldwin City. Interment will be Friday, April 13, 2018 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cherokee, IA. Memorial contributions may be made to Church World Service and sent in c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Condolences may be sent to the family through lamb-roberts.com.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Apr. 8, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for John English

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

Dr. English set the standard to which all professors should aspire. What an inspiration! Donald Hatcher

April 10, 2018

John was brilliant and funny, the epitome of a gentleman. It was my privilege to know him for many years. My deepest sympathy to Evonne. And my love.

Judi Geer Kellas

April 9, 2018

He was an admirable scholar and a teacher who demanded excellence from his students. I am proud to have been in his classes.

Sarah Young

April 9, 2018

a loved one

April 9, 2018

Proud to have taken classes from Dr. English. He made a difference in many lives.

Kelly Willoughby

April 8, 2018

I don't remember how John and I met but know it was at least 10 years ago. Every time we would see each other, he would greet me with a smile and a "Hello!" or "How are you?" I'll miss seeing him here in town and will be thinking of him when I attend the Tales of Our Past at the library today. We last saw each other at the first event of this series a month ago. Sending my condolences to Evonne and all who loved him.

Susan Baker

April 8, 2018

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in John English's name

Memorial Events
for John English

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home - Baldwin City

712 9th St, Baldwin City, KS 66006

How to support John's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor John English's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more