John Jacobs

John James Henry Jacobs, age 82, of Olathe, Kansas formerly of Neodesha, Kansas died Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at the VA Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. John was born July 29, 1920 in Lajunta, Colorado to Lee Franklin and Erma Pearl Simpson Jacobs. He grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado and in Vinita, Oklahoma. John graduated from the Vinita High School. After graduation John entered the United States Army on March 9, 1942. He served during World War II and received the purple heart. John was honorably discharged on August 31, 1945. On December 8, 1943 John married Myrtle May Jacobs in Watertown, New York and she preceded him in death on March 11, 1976. On August 19, 1976 John married Vera Langston in Oklahoma and they made their home in Independence, Kansas. They later moved to the Good Samaritian Towers in Olathe, Kansas. John worked for the City of Neodesha and later owned and operated his own Plumbing and Electric Business in Neodesha, Kansas. He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church, the AARP and the VFW in Independence, Kansas and was a volunteer driver for the Meals of Wheels program in Independence, Kansas. Survivors include his wife Vera of Olathe, Kansas; one son Delbert Norris of Neodesha, Kansas; five daughters Doris Birdsong of Cherryvale, Kansas, Jennie Burns of Abilene, Kansas, Mary Smith of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Joan Counsil of Neodesha, Kansas, Jeanie Jacobs of Belleglade, Florida; One step son Charles McBride, of Kansas City, Missouri, ; three step daughters Norma McVey of Olathe, Kansas; Pat Houghton of Trenton, South Carolina, and Linda White of Edgefield, South Carolina; 21 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren 10 step grandchildren and 11 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three grandchildren, one daughter, two brothers and two sisters. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2003 at the Bible Baptist Church with Rev. DeWayne Prosser officiating. Burial will follow in the Neodesha Cemetery with the Fort Riley Color Guard presenting military honors under the direction of the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. Visitation hours will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003 and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2003 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. The family has suggested memorials to the Bible Baptist Church Children Ministry and contributions may be left at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home