John Spurgeon Obituary

John M. Spurgeon, 75, of Lawrence, KS, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at his home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 West 13th Street, in Lawrence, KS. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Pkwy, in Lawrence, KS.

John was born on August 25, 1949, in Wichita, KS, the son of John and Eloise (Dunphy) Spurgeon.

He is survived by his wife, Karla. They were married in Tescott, KS on July 28, 1979, and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this year. Together, they enjoyed spending time with friends, walking at favorite spots around Lawrence, and traveling. A favorite memory is a trip to Europe with their kids in 2006.

Other survivors include his children, Marika (Adam) Taylor, Brenna (Patrick) Bliven, Patrick Spurgeon, brothers, Dave and Tom Spurgeon, sister, Susan (Steve) Guest, four grandchildren, Ainsley, Harvey, Finley, and Archer, mother and father-in-law, Hal and Eleanor Berkley, sister-in law, Karen (Scott) Deckert, brothers-in-law Jeff (Denise) Berkley and Calvin (Tina) Berkley, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

John grew up in Wichita, KS, and he took his role as the oldest of four kids seriously. They enjoyed vacations as a family, and he was active in Scouts. He graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, KS. John joined the Army in 1970 and served in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1973 and worked for the post office until enrolling at the University of Kansas and earning a Bachelor's in Business. After their wedding, John joined Karla living in the Netherlands, and they lived together in the Hague until moving back to Kansas in 1981. He earned his MBA from KU upon his return, and then began his career as a budget analyst for the State of Kansas. He also worked as a management analyst for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. He worked for most of his career at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in the finance and IT departments, retiring as Budget Director in 2011. After retirement, he worked part-time for another state agency and volunteered in the cancer center at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and at Corpus Christi Church, where he was a long-term member.

John was a dedicated and supportive dad to his three kids, helping with homework; reading bedtime stories; attending every game and performance; calmly enduring driving lessons; coaching their youth sports teams; traveling for college visits and sports meets; helping them move countless times; and coming to visit no matter where they lived, from Minnesota to Portugal.

He loved being a Papa to his four grandkids. Right from the start he spent hours rocking and carrying them, and as they got older, spent time doing puzzles, playing games, reading books, playing Archie tag, and playing outside.

John lived a full life enjoying hunting, fishing, snow skiing, golf, reading science fiction, and travel. He visited over 20 National Parks, almost all 50 states, many countries of Europe, and Machu Picchu in Peru, a long-time goal. He planned incredible family road trips, spending weeks each summer driving his family to new parts of the country and recording it all on a camcorder.

John will be remembered for his zest for life, sense of humor, adventurous spirit, optimism, caring nature, and love of his family.

John was preceded in death by his mother and father.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to LMH Health Cancer Center or to the National Parks Conservation Association or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

To best honor and remember John, take time to visit a State park or National Park.

For more information or to post condolences, go to warrenmcelwain.com.