John Christopher Latimer

EDINA, Mo. -- John Christopher Latimer, 37, of Mesquite, Texas, formerly of Newark, Mo., went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 28, 2011, after a short battle with cancer.

John was born on Feb. 3, 1974, in Quincy, Ill., a son of Robert and Debra Hinkle Latimer.

John graduated from Knox County High School in 1992 and from Missouri Western State University in 2001, with a double business degree.

He had worked at Double Tree and Hilton Hotels and was assistant manager for Bob Evans. He also managed his own retailing business and most recently was employed by SCIS Security.

John was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He was also a member of Meadowview Baptist Church in Mesquite. He was fun-loving, and enjoyed spending time with his family, and playing with his children. He took interest in Civil War history and enjoyed researching his ancestry. John also enjoyed attending games for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks.

On Dec. 27, 2006, John married Kathleen Arenas. She survives. To this union, they had three children, Christopher, Matthew and Mikayla.

Survivors also include his parents, Robert and Debra Latimer of Newark; a brother, Rob Latimer of Jefferson City; a sister, Beth Clay of LaBelle; nephews, Anthony Monroe, LeTre` Clay and Cameron Clay; a niece, Rachel Latimer; in-laws, Ernie and Tess Arenas of Mesquite; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Wilbur and Martha Hinkle; his paternal grandparents, Harold and Dorothy Latimer; and two cousins.

SERVICES: 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, Edina. The Rev. Steve Brown of Mesquite will conduct the services. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery north of Bethel.

Musical selections will be "I Will Rise," "Glorious Day," "Our God Is Greater," "I Can Only Imagine," "This Little Light Of Mine" and "Your Love."

Casket bearers will be Curt Snow, Kevin Scott, Tom Parsons, Tim Parsons, Ricky Kurtz, Damion Epping and Danny Wiemelt. Honorary bearers will be Ralph Joseph Deunida, Jonathan Clarke, Brad Boruff, Paul Kurtz, Cory Kurtz, Mark Wiemelt, Anthony Monroe, LeTre` Clay, Cameron Clay and Rachel Latimer.

VISITATION: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Children's Education Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO, 63537.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, Edina.

WEBSITE: www.hudsonrimerfh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.