John Dardis

John Joseph Dardis was born on December 16, 1964, in Lawrence, KS. He died on March 25, 2017, in Shawnee Mission, KS. John was born with Down Syndrome and for 52 years his gentle soul graced the lives of others, especially his parents, Michael and Helen (Williams) Dardis, and his eight siblings.

After completing his high school equivalency education, John attended Day Services at Cottonwood, in Lawrence, KS, for 25 years. Following the death of his mother in 2013, he moved to Shawnee, KS, to live with his sister, Anne, and her family. He attended Day Services at Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) in Lenexa, KS, from 2013-2017.

With the onset of Dementia and Parkinson's Disease, and his need for specialized care, in August 2016, he moved to Bethesda Lutheran Communities in Shawnee Mission, KS.

John died peacefully in the presence of family, as well as devoted staff from Bethesda Lutheran, JCDS, and Avalon Hospice. John's family is comforted knowing he is in Heaven, reunited with his parents; sister, Kathy; niece, Lili; nephew, Brennan; and his beloved dog, Spot. Being with his mom, dad, and Kathy will be especially fun, as they were always amused with John's feisty antics.

Forever touched by John's life include his siblings: Mary Shuman (St. Joseph, MO); Patrick (Eudora, KS); Mark (Phoenix, AZ); Gregory (Ashburn, VA); Michael (Kansas City, KS); Jeffrey (Sacramento, CA) & Anne Perry (Shawnee, KS); siblings-in-law: Ross, Patricia, Melissa, Candace, Elizabeth & Daryl; nieces and nephews: Kelly, Aaron, Brie, Emily, Amanda, Travis, Andrew, David, Jacob & Alyssa; and great-nieces: Sarah, Jordan, Moriah & Bianca.

John will be remembered for having a sly crooked smile, while enjoying his favorite items (coffee, family photos, Mardi Gras beads, Barbies) and activities (riding around town listening to music, flirting, dancing, attending church, and laughing at others' mishaps). Rather than Down Syndrome, "Up Syndrome" may have been more fitting for John, given his playful personality! Perhaps John's legacy will be inspiring people to accept and appreciate those with disabilities.

Friends may call from 9 AM to 7:30 PM Friday, March 31, 2017 at the funeral home in Lawrence, KS. The family will greet friends from 6 – 7:30 PM. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 11:00 AM, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, KS. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery.

Via the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, suggested memorials include: Friends of JCDS (specify "Retirement Program"), Bethesda Lutheran Communities (specify "ICF-Lenexa, KS"), or Avalon Hospice (specify "Lenexa, KS").

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com