John A. Vasey
May 26, 1936 ~ September 22, 2022
John A. Vasey, 86, retired Koch Industries Fleet Manager, died Thursday, September 22, 2022. He was surrounded by family and friends as he peacefully slipped away, and we are heartbroken to lose him. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Preceded in death by parents, Albert L. And Inez I. Vasey; sisters, Bernice Cole, Alice O’Donnell. Survived by wife, Virginia L. Vasey of Wichita, KS; step-son, Rick (Linda) Deibert of Overbrook, KS; daughters, Kelly (Brett) Baird of Wichita, KS, Beverly (Jim) Morris of North Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Lonnie Morford, Renelle (Chris) Aytes, Matt (Nikki) Baird, Ashley (Brett) Wehling, Allison Nuss, Jennifer (Bobby) Hermsen, Taylor Morris; great-grandchildren, Lynn, Kwynn, Layth, Joshua, Elijah, Hudson, Emma, Jaxon, Carson, Ava, Max, Halle; sister, Ruth (Bob) Baker of Sun City, AZ; several nieces and nephews.
John was born on a farm near Alma, Nebraska in 1936. He graduated from Alma High School in 1953. He served his country by joining the army in 1956. After serving two years in Europe, John returned home to Nebraska. In 1960 he began working for Rock Island Oil Company when he met his wife, Virginia. They were married in Ardmore, Oklahoma in 1961. John stayed a loyal employee to Rock Island Oil Company - a small company where, on occasion, he worked directly with the boss, Charles - as it transformed into Matador Pipeline, Koch Oil Company which ultimately became Koch Industries. His career led him, Virginia and stepson Rick to reside in several locations in the American central plains, from North Dakota to Oklahoma. Two of the more memorable stays were in Ardmore Oklahoma in 1962 and Bottineau, North Dakota in 1966; not for the allure or culture of these towns, but as the birthplaces of daughters Kelly and Beverly. After 35 years participating in the growth of Koch Industries as well as the growth of his family, John retired, and he and Virginia moved to Florida. They remained there for 19 years, where he enjoyed playing softball and working on his Triumph TR3. He and Virginia left the warmth and sun of Florida for Wichita in 2013 where John continued to enjoy gardening, spending time with his children and grandchildren, tinkering on his car, and cheering for his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers Football team. He was a member of the Church of Christ and looked forward to mowing and grounds keeping duties at the church with his fellow members. John was a kind, humble person who treated all with dignity and respect. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He would want everyone to know that he lived a very happy and fulfilled life and was eager to meet his Lord and Savior.
Memorials have been established with: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL., Memphis, TN 38105; and Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, 3450 North Rock Road, Building 200, Suite 213, Wichita, KS 67226.
Funeral Service will be Live Streamed and available to view by clicking "Watch Event" below.
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I was a very young teen in 1961-62 when Albert hired me to help him clean up around his farm on Saturdays during the early Spring each year. I have fond memories of John visiting some of those weekends and working with me. He was a quiet and genuine role model for me at that time.