Rev. John Harvey Wandless, Jr.

REV. JOHN HARVEY WANDLESS, JR.
1936 - 2015

On Wednesday, Dec 23rd, Rev. John Harvey Wandless, 79, a humble steward of Christ, was welcomed to Paradise as Heavens Chorus proclaimed, "Well done my good and faithful servant." It is impossible to imagine the overflowing ecstasy and exultation of a blissful reunion with his beautiful bride, Jane, whom he has longed for since their last embrace 24 years past. Together again at Christmas, they are lovingly joined in Heavens matrimony now and forever in the presence of God and all those who preceded him in death.
John, the eldest of four children, was born on November 24, 1936 in Pittsburgh, PA to his loving and hard-working parents, John H. Wandless, Sr. and Margaret L. Wandless. Providing for a family of six was never easy, but John and his siblings wanted for nothing of substance for they were rich in spirit. John graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1954. At 17 years of age, John joined the U. S. Navy and served four years before returning home as a college student on the G.I. Bill. Initially a student at Pittsburghs Duquesne University, John transferred to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO where he pursued his academic interest in public policy and an opportunity to work in John Kennedys 1960 presidential campaign. Transferring to Rockhurst proved to be the single most important decision of his life as it lead him to a student book club meeting one fateful evening where he met a gorgeous young lady, Jane ONeil, and fell deeply in love. They married at St. Peters Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO on August 18, 1962. Jane and John were an intrepid pair, fueled by their love and a shared interest in exploring this beautiful country. They explored the rivers, streams, plains, plateaus, mountains and valleys all across this great land. And at every stop along the way they marveled at Gods creation and took time to meet and enjoy fellow travelers on their journeys of discovery. They briefly settled in Washington, D.C. as newlyweds and John finished his studies with a graduate degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC, which proved to be a fitting launch for his work in LBJs war on poverty. John and Jane moved back to Kansas City and over the next thirty years his professional interests centered mostly on public service. He worked to improve society through various public/private partnerships that would help those most in need. He also founded a software firm which proved to be a tremendous success. Meanwhile, Jane taught in the public school system and they raised their two children, Tom and Julie. In 1991 fate dealt a cruel hand when Jane was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away six months later at the age of 52. Inspired by the compassion and ministry various priests had demonstrated to him throughout his life, John began the next phase of his life and commenced studies to become a Catholic priest. In 1997, he received a master's of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA and was ordained a diocesan priest in the Kansas City-St. Joe diocese. Over the next decade he would serve as associate or pastor at Christ The King, St. John LaLande, St. Bernadette, St. Therese Little Flower and St Louis parish. At each assignment, John was well known for giving so much of his time and talent to all in need. With a searching eye and sympathetic ear tuned to the particular needs of youth in the urban core, John founded and funded The Urban Ranger Corps in 2005 with a mission to prepare at-risk inner city youth for responsible and productive futures through a program of work experience and service in their community. Hundreds of young men have served as Rangers and seen their lives and futures enriched by the Urban Ranger Corps and Johns desire to serve those most needy of leadership and a loving hand. Inspired by his many acts of community kindness and leadership, in 2009 John was honored with the Kansas City Spirit Award, given annually since 1982 by Gillis, an agency that has served Kansas Citys youth since the 19th century.
We are deeply grateful for his life, his love and his lessons. John was, in word and deed, a man for others. He was never impressed with his own accomplishments but always eager to champion the cause and character of our nations "underdogs." A devout optimist, he always found a candle to light while others cursed the darkness. He was quick to rally the discouraged and slow to anger when offended. The chapters of his life have turned the final page. But the lessons he taught us and the lives he has enriched by his selfless acts will be the fables which inspire generations of continued goodwill toward man.
John is survived by his children and spousal 'children in spirit': Thomas "Tom" James Wandless (Karlene); Julia "Julie" Wandless Thompson (Chris), and seven grandchildren: Eli and Ani Wandless; Brian, Janie, Maddie, Jake and Mason Thompson. He is also survived by his brother, Tom Wandless (Judith) and his sister, Susan Wandless. In addition to his wife, Jane ONeil Wandless, John was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Wandless Sr. and Margaret L. Wandless, and his brother, George Wandless.
The family looks forward to greeting visitors on Tuesday, December 29th, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Visitation Church, 5141 Main, Kansas City, MO. The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will also be at Visitation Church on Wednesday, December 30th, at 10:00 AM. Mass will be followed by a reception in the Tighe Hall of Visitation Church, then burial at Calvary Cemetery 6901 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Catholic Charities, Urban Ranger Corps of Kansas City, Rockhurst or the charity or your choice.
REV. JOHN HARVEY WANDLESS, JR.
1936 - 2015

On Wednesday, Dec 23rd, Rev. John Harvey Wandless, 79, a humble steward of Christ, was welcomed to Paradise as Heavens Chorus proclaimed, "Well done my good and faithful servant." It is impossible to imagine the overflowing ecstasy and exultation of a blissful reunion with his beautiful bride, Jane, whom he has longed for since their last embrace 24 years past. Together again at Christmas, they are lovingly joined in Heavens matrimony now and forever in the presence of God and all those who preceded him in death.
John, the eldest of four children, was born on November 24, 1936 in Pittsburgh, PA to his loving and hard-working parents, John H. Wandless, Sr. and Margaret L. Wandless. Providing for a family of six was never easy, but John and his siblings wanted for nothing of substance for they were rich in spirit. John graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1954. At 17 years of age, John joined the U. S. Navy and served four years before returning home as a college student on the G.I. Bill. Initially a student at Pittsburghs Duquesne University, John transferred to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO where he pursued his academic interest in public policy and an opportunity to work in John Kennedys 1960 presidential campaign. Transferring to Rockhurst proved to be the single most important decision of his life as it lead him to a student book club meeting one fateful evening where he met a gorgeous young lady, Jane ONeil, and fell deeply in love. They married at St. Peters Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO on August 18, 1962. Jane and John were an intrepid pair, fueled by their love and a shared interest in exploring this beautiful country. They explored the rivers, streams, plains, plateaus, mountains and valleys all across this great land. And at every stop along the way they marveled at Gods creation and took time to meet and enjoy fellow travelers on their journeys of discovery. They briefly settled in Washington, D.C. as newlyweds and John finished his studies with a graduate degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC, which proved to be a fitting launch for his work in LBJs war on poverty. John and Jane moved back to Kansas City and over the next thirty years his professional interests centered mostly on public service. He worked to improve society through various public/private partnerships that would help those most in need. He also founded a software firm which proved to be a tremendous success. Meanwhile, Jane taught in the public school system and they raised their two children, Tom and Julie. In 1991 fate dealt a cruel hand when Jane was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away six months later at the age of 52. Inspired by the compassion and ministry various priests had demonstrated to him throughout his life, John began the next phase of his life and commenced studies to become a Catholic priest. In 1997, he received a master's of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA and was ordained a diocesan priest in the Kansas City-St. Joe diocese. Over the next decade he would serve as associate or pastor at Christ The King, St. John LaLande, St. Bernadette, St. Therese Little Flower and St Louis parish. At each assignment, John was well known for giving so much of his time and talent to all in need. With a searching eye and sympathetic ear tuned to the particular needs of youth in the urban core, John founded and funded The Urban Ranger Corps in 2005 with a mission to prepare at-risk inner city youth for responsible and productive futures through a program of work experience and service in their community. Hundreds of young men have served as Rangers and seen their lives and futures enriched by the Urban Ranger Corps and Johns desire to serve those most needy of leadership and a loving hand. Inspired by his many acts of community kindness and leadership, in 2009 John was honored with the Kansas City Spirit Award, given annually since 1982 by Gillis, an agency that has served Kansas Citys youth since the 19th century.
We are deeply grateful for his life, his love and his lessons. John was, in word and deed, a man for others. He was never impressed with his own accomplishments but always eager to champion the cause and character of our nations "underdogs." A devout optimist, he always found a candle to light while others cursed the darkness. He was quick to rally the discouraged and slow to anger when offended. The chapters of his life have turned the final page. But the lessons he taught us and the lives he has enriched by his selfless acts will be the fables which inspire generations of continued goodwill toward man.
John is survived by his children and spousal 'children in spirit': Thomas "Tom" James Wandless (Karlene); Julia "Julie" Wandless Thompson (Chris), and seven grandchildren: Eli and Ani Wandless; Brian, Janie, Maddie, Jake and Mason Thompson. He is also survived by his brother, Tom Wandless (Judith) and his sister, Susan Wandless. In addition to his wife, Jane ONeil Wandless, John was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Wandless Sr. and Margaret L. Wandless, and his brother, George Wandless.
The family looks forward to greeting visitors on Tuesday, December 29th, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Visitation Church, 5141 Main, Kansas City, MO. The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will also be at Visitation Church on Wednesday, December 30th, at 10:00 AM. Mass will be followed by a reception in the Tighe Hall of Visitation Church, then burial at Calvary Cemetery 6901 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Catholic Charities, Urban Ranger Corps of Kansas City, Rockhurst or the charity or your choice.

SERVICES Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, December 30, 2015 10:00 AM
Visitation Church 5141 Main Street Kansas City, Missouri 64113