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John Hans Homedale, 75

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Homedale-John

John Hans Homedale, 75, of Roeland Park, KS passed away on March 22, 2017. He was born on January 5, 1942 in Weisbaden, Germany.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Grete and step-father, William Homedale and his younger brother, Dieter.

Bill and Grete were married in Germany in 1948. Later that year, Bill adopted John and Dieter and brought the new family back to America. Bill and Grete had a third son, Mike in 1951. Growing up, the three boys kept everyone on their toes with their adventures. John and Dieter got into quite a bit of mischief over the years. John was active in Boy Scouts and went on to be a camp leader, teaching archery.

John graduated from Mormon Trail High School in Garden Grove, Iowa in 1961. He then moved to Princeton. MO with his family where he was the projectionist for the Lambert Theater. Movies were always a special pastime and he would still recall which movies he had played at the theater. John was an accomplished bow hunter and enjoyed various hunting trips. He killed a wild boar in Tennessee and famously hung the trophy head on his living room wall. He later ran the pool hall in Princeton before moving to Kansas City.

Ever independent, John never let his vision problems hold him back. He worked in restaurants and became Head Baker at Myron Green’s Cafeteria. He won third place in a baking competition in 1976 for the Bicentennial Celebration with his cake design of Kansas City’s Memorial Hall. Later, he was Ron Hinote’s artist’s assistant in his sculpting studio. It was here where he was able to combine his passion for history and art. Many of his family and friends were able to enjoy the historical sculptures that he painted and antiqued. He went on to loyally work at Apple Market grocery store for over 23 years.

John loved being part of the community and was a Weather Watcher for KMBC Channel 9 News for many years. Friends always listened for the daily weather report from John in Roeland Park. Although, he never drove a car John never let this stop him from doing what he wanted. He rode his bicycle practically everywhere. He even rode 135 miles to Princeton once and got his picture in the KC Star for having to carry his bicycle home from work in a snowstorm.

John married Nancy in 1973 and had two daughters, Jennifer and Sally. His greatest joy was being a Dad and later a Grandfather. He loved camping and fishing trips with the girls. He taught them to ride bikes and shoot a bow in the backyard. He worked on his rose garden with great care and dedication. At its peak his garden had over thirty hybrid tea rosebushes. John loved photography, playing guitar and trips to the KC Zoo with his daughters and granddaughters. Watching sports was a constant pastime and he always called Sally, Jennifer and Mike with updates on tennis, racing, and the UCONN women’s basketball team. He was always a loyal and optimistic Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawks fan. John had a great mind for history and current events and loved to annihilate everyone in the history category of Trivial Pursuit. He also probably single-handedly kept Folgers Coffee in business.

For those who knew John, he was a dear and caring friend. He met everyone with an open and kind heart. He was stubborn and fiercely independent till the end. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. His legacy will be carried on through those of us who loved him.

John is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Davis (Brett) and Sally Homedale, three granddaughters, Audrey, Vaughn and Lake, brother Mike Homedale (Glenda) and two nieces, Laurel Owens (Ryan) and Shelby Hickman (Jacob), and two great-nieces Ellis and Easton.

The family will hold a graveside inurnment in Princeton, MO on April 1, 2017 at 1pm.
Memorials may be made to Friends of the Kansas City Zoo in John’s name. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.CremationCenterKC.com

Arrangements: Cremation Center of Kansas City; 913-384-5566

About the author

Jay Senter
Jay Senter

Jay Senter is the founder and publisher of the Post.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he worked as a reporter and editor at The Badger Herald.

He went on to receive a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, where he earned the Calder Pickett Award. While he was in graduate school, he also worked as a reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World.

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