John Johannes, 52, of Lawrence Kansas died peacefully at home Monday, February 15, 2016, after battling a series of sepsis infections.
John was born May 30, 1963 to Jerry and Lois Lehman-Johannes in Horton, Kansas and grew up in Kansas and Southern California. In his youth he was active in Boy Scouts and in his teens and twenties was a sportsman spending his free time hunting and fishing. After graduating from Onaga High School he worked as an explosives technician for Hamm Quarries. John served in the Kansas Army National Guard where he was trained as a helicopter mechanic and Honorably Discharged in 1988. He graduated from Highland Community College in 1985 with an Associate in Arts with particular interest in geology and computer science.
John returned to working at Hamm while spending his evenings tinkering with computers and studying the stock market. He became an avid investor and trader reading the Wall Street Journal, poring over books of stock price charts and listening to market gurus on the radio while drilling blasting holes at the quarry.
While working at the quarry, John began studying Respiratory Therapy at Washburn University and graduated in 1992. During this time the convergence of technology, the internet and John’s knowledge of markets allowed him to become one of the first day traders riding the Bull Market of the late 1980’s &1990s to help pay for college.
More importantly, during this time, mutual friends introduced to John to the love of his life and best friend Ann Miller. They were married on June 24, 1995, at Lake Shawnee.
For years John worked at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. He was a member of the American Association of Respiratory Care and held advanced registered certifications in respiratory therapy ranging from Neonatal Pediatric Specialty to Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologist.
John did not live to work, he worked to live. His keen intellect propelled him into hobbies like repairing antique firearms, golfing, building and flying large-scale model aircraft, advanced culinary arts, entertaining friends and family with elaborate dinners and building faster and more powerful home computers. He was a vacuum for knowledge, listening to NPR on the radio, watching PBS and reading newspapers, magazines and finance journals from across the U.S. and Europe. Friends and family would frequently receive links to articles published in Der Spiegel and the Times of London. John also spent his days doting on two dachshunds—Heidi and Greta.
John and Ann became accomplished travelers covering the US from New England to the Tidepools of Oregon, often traveling cross-country by Amtrack. John’s interest in geology and natural history took their trips to many places off the beaten path bringing back slide shows of unique geological formations and scenic vistas.
In recent years, John changed jobs to work at the VA Hospital in Leavenworth and developed interests in exploring the backcountry roads of the Mountain West by four-wheel-drive, Broadway musicals and shows at the Lied Center while still getting in regular helpings of life-long favorites Johnny Cash, Kansas City Chief’s, KU Basketball and anything Star Trek. John’s Captain was Kirk as played by Shatner.
His sharp intellectual curiosity, broad knowledge, wit and humor will be missed by friends, colleagues and family.
John is survived by his wife Ann; mother, Lois of Havensville, KS; two siblings, sister Cindy Johannes-Neal of Sharpesburg, GA and brother JD Johannes of Topeka, KS; and dachshund Greta.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry and dachshund Heidi.
Memorial services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044. A visitation will be Monday from 6:30-7:30pm at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) & Kansas Public Radio (KPR), sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
John’s ashes will be spread at the places he and Ann traveled to over the years.
