1944
John
2012
John Gramlich
June 19, 1944 — November 11, 2012
John J. Gramlich, 68, of Kansas City, passed away November 11, 2012 from brain cancer (Glioblastoma) at his home in Overland Park, KS. He was born June 19, 1944 in Kansas City, MO to Mary Dorothy (Scurry) and Joseph Russell "Russ" Gramlich. He graduated from Rockhurst College (University) in 1968 with a BBA degree.
He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Bill Orr. John is survived by his wife Valerie; daughters Kristi and Kelli of Overland Park, KS; daughter Kim and husband Mike of Shawnee, KS; son Chris and wife Gina of Dallas, TX; 8 grandchildren, Natalie, Jenna, Christopher, Ashley, Abby, Sam, Hank and Molly; sisters Peggy Baker (Jack) and Barbara Gramlich of Kansas City, sister Mary Chigos of San Francisco, CA, brothers Mike and Billy Gramlich of Kansas City; mother-in-law Marge Orr of North Kansas City, MO; brother-in-law Randy Orr and wife Julie of Indianapolis, IN; 24 nieces and nephews: Adam Orr, Megan Baker, Bridget Baker and wife Kristin, Sean Baker and wife Megan, Amy Lawder and husband Scott, Katie Kostoryz, Jimmy Kostoryz, Kevin Kostoryz and wife Amy, Andrew Chigos and wife Kristin, Emily Chigos, Phillip Chigos and wife Mary, Matthew Chigos and wife Stephanie, Peter Chigos, Brian Gramlich, Sarah Gramlich, Paige Gramlich; and 15 great nieces and nephews.
John and his brothers and sisters grew up in the Kansas City neighborhood of Concord, famous for its Irish-Catholic families. John attended Visitation Catholic School and subsequently graduated in 1963 from Rockhurst High School where he was a three year letterman in basketball. John continued playing basketball at Rockhurst College (University) while he pursued his business degree.
John started his career in industrial and commercial real estate in 1967. He and his brother Mike enjoyed a 30-year, successful business career together, which started with Terrydale Realty Trust – one of the nation's first publicly traded REITS founded by their father, Russ Gramlich, in 1973.
John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Known as Papa John to his grandchildren, John's hobby was his family. From weekend activities with his kids to sitting on the deck with his neighbors, friends and family, John loved people more than he loved anything else. John loved Friday morning coffee and working fish frys with his Knights of Columbus brothers for whom he served as their Grand Knight for two terms. John loved watching and talking Kansas basketball with anyone. He treasured his time at Keller Williams Realty and all the friends he mentored there but, most importantly, John loved every minute he spent with his wife and best friend, Valerie.
John will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Anyone who was fortunate enough to meet him knew that he made you a better person because of his positive outlook on life and his ability to always find the good things about each and every person. His sense of humor, incredible personality, and love of life brought joy to everyone around him.
The rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14 at Church of the Ascension (9510 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, KS). A visitation will follow from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 15 at Church of the Ascension.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to Catholic Communities Hospice or National Brain Tumor Society.
He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Bill Orr. John is survived by his wife Valerie; daughters Kristi and Kelli of Overland Park, KS; daughter Kim and husband Mike of Shawnee, KS; son Chris and wife Gina of Dallas, TX; 8 grandchildren, Natalie, Jenna, Christopher, Ashley, Abby, Sam, Hank and Molly; sisters Peggy Baker (Jack) and Barbara Gramlich of Kansas City, sister Mary Chigos of San Francisco, CA, brothers Mike and Billy Gramlich of Kansas City; mother-in-law Marge Orr of North Kansas City, MO; brother-in-law Randy Orr and wife Julie of Indianapolis, IN; 24 nieces and nephews: Adam Orr, Megan Baker, Bridget Baker and wife Kristin, Sean Baker and wife Megan, Amy Lawder and husband Scott, Katie Kostoryz, Jimmy Kostoryz, Kevin Kostoryz and wife Amy, Andrew Chigos and wife Kristin, Emily Chigos, Phillip Chigos and wife Mary, Matthew Chigos and wife Stephanie, Peter Chigos, Brian Gramlich, Sarah Gramlich, Paige Gramlich; and 15 great nieces and nephews.
John and his brothers and sisters grew up in the Kansas City neighborhood of Concord, famous for its Irish-Catholic families. John attended Visitation Catholic School and subsequently graduated in 1963 from Rockhurst High School where he was a three year letterman in basketball. John continued playing basketball at Rockhurst College (University) while he pursued his business degree.
John started his career in industrial and commercial real estate in 1967. He and his brother Mike enjoyed a 30-year, successful business career together, which started with Terrydale Realty Trust – one of the nation's first publicly traded REITS founded by their father, Russ Gramlich, in 1973.
John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Known as Papa John to his grandchildren, John's hobby was his family. From weekend activities with his kids to sitting on the deck with his neighbors, friends and family, John loved people more than he loved anything else. John loved Friday morning coffee and working fish frys with his Knights of Columbus brothers for whom he served as their Grand Knight for two terms. John loved watching and talking Kansas basketball with anyone. He treasured his time at Keller Williams Realty and all the friends he mentored there but, most importantly, John loved every minute he spent with his wife and best friend, Valerie.
John will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Anyone who was fortunate enough to meet him knew that he made you a better person because of his positive outlook on life and his ability to always find the good things about each and every person. His sense of humor, incredible personality, and love of life brought joy to everyone around him.
The rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14 at Church of the Ascension (9510 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, KS). A visitation will follow from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 15 at Church of the Ascension.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to Catholic Communities Hospice or National Brain Tumor Society.
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