John Carl Stuhr

John Carl Stuhr passed away on Saturday, January 5, 2008, at Shawnee Gardens. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, at the Village Presbyterian Church. The family suggests contributions to Together Center, 1112 E. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo., or Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601. John was born October 30, 1926, on his parent's farm near Minden, Iowa. His parents were Mathilde Henrietta Pieper and John Carl Stuhr. He attended one- room country schools and was the only one in his grade all eight years. His freshman year was at Hancock, Iowa High School. His father died that year so the family moved to Minden where his mother taught school. While attending high school he worked at Piepers Meat Market and the Blue and White Grocery Store. After graduation from Minden High School he enlisted in Navy Officers Training and was stationed at Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska. In 1946 he married Virgina Ann Altaffer, daughter of Clara Marie Thompson and Virgil Eugene Altaffer. In 1949 he graduated with honors from Drake University with a B.S. degree in accounting. He was employed by Standard Oil of Indiana (now BP) in Des Moines. In 1962 he was transferred to Kansas City, so the family moved to Overland Park. John was active in University Christian Church in Des Moines, Overland Park Christian and Village Presbyterian Church. He served on the committee for his son's Boy Scout Troop. He was a member of Kansas City Crisis and was always an advocate for the underprivileged. He was the first supervisor in his office to hire an African-American employee. Gardening was one of his hobbies. He treated neighbors, relatives and fellow workers with tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions. He was an excellent photographer, developing and printing his own black and white photos. Preceding him in death was his sister, Margaret Kriewald. Survivors include his wife, Virginia, sons, Jim (Julia), Shawnee and John, Jr., Overland Park, sister, Jean Lemonds, West Des Moines, Iowa and brother Paul Stuhr (Ann) Council Bluffs, Iowa. Online condolences may be express at www.amosfamily.com. (Arr.: The Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, at 913-631- 5566)