John S. Garner, III

John S. Garner III, 66, of Kansas City, MO passed away on August 6, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Plaza

 

John S. Garner III experienced his last challenge in life on Sunday, August 6, 2017 when he passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital (Plaza) from cancer. John had many medical challenges in his life, many of which were spent with his wife Linda, who was by his side during these difficult times.  The best challenge for John was receiving the heart of a 26 year old man in 2010 at University of Nebraska Medical Center, which was going strong when his body succumbed to cancer.

 

John was born on January 25, 1951 in Kansas City, MO.  He was only three days old when he was adopted by John S. Garner II and his wife Mickey McGuire Garner. He grew up on the east side of Independence, MO and graduated from Van Horn High School, after which he attended Metropolitan Community College in Lee’s Summit, MO.  He spent his working career at AGCO Corporation and medically retired after 22 years of service.

 

John had many hobbies throughout his life. He was a pretty good tennis player and practiced with Jimmy Connors at Brookridge Country Club in Overland Park, KS.  He also spent many years field trial hunting on horseback and is a past secretary of the Missouri Field Trial Association.  He loved his champion pointer Jake and spent many years hunting with him. John was also an avid fisherman. After his retirement he spent many, many days on the water fishing from his bass boat.  

John married Linda Krahenbuhl Garner on September 10, 1994 in Platte County, MO where they resided for several years. While John and Linda lived in Gladstone, MO, he was Treasurer of Heatherton Place Homes Assn. and President of the Stormy Acres Neighborhood group. As his health declined, John had to find new hobbies that did not require a lot of walking.  Thus, his beloved Chevrolet SSR trucks.  John owned three SSR’s two red ones and a black and silver two-tone.  He and Linda both loved cars, especially sports cars and spent many years driving and showing them. He also (with a friend) ran several car shows.

 

John is survived by his wife Linda, Linda’s daughter and son-in-law, Heidi & Robert Malinak, The Woodlands, TX , Dorothy Tapscott, Kansas City, MO, whom he always considered his “Second Mom”, his beloved cocker spaniels, Diva and Willow and many friends.

 

Funeral Service:  11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 15th with visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville
Donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.