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John Berkshire Obituary
January 6, 1937 - July 16, 2025
Kansas City, Missouri - Born and raised in Kansas City, John graduated from Pembroke Country Day School in 1955. He earned his bachelor's from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. After his retirement from Lockton, he continued to play and promote the game of golf, holding association leadership positions locally and at the state level. John was the last of the Berkshire lumbermen, a legacy that spanned several generations across many midwestern states, finally landing in Kansas City when John H Berkshire II founded a company in 1903.
John and his wife Diane raised a family of three girls in the house his parents built to raise their three children. After Diane passed in 2021, he remained active in his neighborhood, where his neighbors were/are an extended family, especially rallying on his behalf after the death of his eldest daughter, Laura, in 2024.
He is survived by daughters, Elizabeth Berkshire (Chris Lewis) and Lynn Berkshire Yost (Cory); grandchildren, Madelyn Liz Berkshire, Christopher and John Berkshire-Lewis, and Jackson and Quincy McFaul, and sister-in-law, Carole Dugan Burns.
The family would like to thank Advent Health Shawnee Mission, and especially Sally and Regina, nurses who played off his wry wit and gave John the health and thus time needed to enter Shawnee PARC, where he passed peacefully accompanied by their amazing team; his dear friend, Maggie; his neighbor and pal Gus; and his family.
John will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his intelligence (daily crosswords in pen), and his lifelong connections with family and friends who often declared that there was nobody you'd rather spend time with than John Berkshire.
An interment ceremony in the family mausoleum in Forest Hill Cemetery will be held at a future date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Berkshire
Sponsored by Kansas City Star.
Rick O´Neill
August 4, 2025
""Berkie" as John was known to:
Little Safeway, Calhoun, Meigsie, Arn, Jumbo, Charlie and John B has been re-united with the rat pack with a few stragglers yet to arrive!
John Marietti
July 26, 2025
John was a very good friend as we golfed together and attended Chiefs games. He loved our cookouts at the Chief's game and mentored me in golf. Sorry to see him leave us. He will be missed.
Shelley and Jay Cetin
July 26, 2025
Elizabeth, Lynn, and all of John's loved ones, Jay and I are John's neighbors. We were so very saddened to hear of John's passing. We first met him when we moved to 640 10 years ago. He immediately made us feel at home, and we always enjoyed his company on the patio at Bob's house. John was a fount of information about the history of KC and the Brookside area. He was so fun to talk to, and we appreciated his knowledge since we're not KC natives. He always welcomed us to share some fresh air and catch up when he was out on his driveway. He loved and was so proud of his daughters and grandkids, and his eyes shone any time he mentioned you. We're going to miss his presence and hope your memories help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you all.
Jay & Shelley
Duncan mcinnes
July 25, 2025
John was the consummate gentlemen...a treasured friend to many and always a joy to be around...Becky and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Berkshire family...May he rest in peace.
Kathy Fahrbach
July 22, 2025
I want to extend my most sincere condolences to the family of John Berkshire. I´ve known John for many years through our mutual friend Bob Chamberlain. I always enjoyed seeing John and Diane when I came to visit Bob. They were both special fixtures in a unique and tight knit neighborhood. Their presence in the Big White House will be missed.
Jim Murphy
July 21, 2025
John was a great friend. We played golf for 25 years. I will a!ways remember his quick wit.
May he rest in peace.
Murph
Steve and Tonya Lemonds
July 21, 2025
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of your family and Maggie. We visited with John and Laura many Friday afternoons at Twin City Tavern. John always enjoyed whatever baked goods I brought. R.I.P. John. Sure good to know ya.
Julie Harris
July 20, 2025
I a sorry to read this
I enjoyed our conversations and the history he told me about the neighborhood . Thinking of his family
Kathy Siuda
July 18, 2025
A few months ago I drove by Johns house and saw him on the driveway. I have know John and Diane for over fifty years so it was fun catching up with him. His eyes sparkled and his humor was sharp. We had a wonderful time hashing out memories. A wonderful friend a with a beautiful spirit. He will be missed by many. Bless all his precious family.
Kathy (Harsh) Siuda
Debbie Burns
July 18, 2025
Dear Family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. I have fond memories of cookouts in my dad and Carole´s backyard with your parents and remember your dad´s kindness and humor. Loved working with Chris on math over the summer years ago and understand through Carole he graduated from college which made me feel like I didn´t mess him up too badly:-). We are thinking about your family and keeping you in our prayers. Love and peace, Debbie Burns
Meredith Greenwood
July 18, 2025
My Dad loved hanging out with John. He was such a fun loving man. Know he´s in a wonderful place, reunited with his loved ones. Love and prayers to you all.
Meri Kay and David Greenwood
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