John G. Vanzant

John G. Vanzant, 86, of Kansas City was born December 15, 1930 in Eagleville, Missouri to Paul Vanzant and Lily (Kelley) Vanzant and passed away April 27, 2017 at his home. John graduated from Eagleville High School in 1948. He married Mary McManus in a 1958 and made his career with the railroad, retiring after 32 years. He was a shop steward for the Transportation & Communication Union. He was currently a member of St. James UMC, and enjoyed a rich lifelong faith journey. He had a very active life and was an exceptional leather artist earning the Master Leather Crafter Award from the Fine Arts Society, Best of Special Division International Federation of Leather Guild, 1977 Hall of Fame from the International Federation of Leather Guilds and multiple ribbons from various Masters Competitions. John believed in giving back to the community. He taught leather work as a volunteer at Lansing Prison, and for that he was honored in 2009 as the Volunteer of the Year from the Lansing Correctional Facility. The Kansas Department of Corrections awarded him Fine Arts Sponsor of the Year. He received a Service Award from Restart in 1990 and 1991. Mr. Vanzant was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Lily Vanzant and his brothers, Mark Vanzant, Alan Vanzant and nephew Jim Vanzant. John is survived by his wife, Mary. Mary’s siblings: Dorothy Burns, Phoenix, AZ, John McManus, Easton, MO, Bill McManus (Vicky), St. Joseph, MO, Clare Decker, Omaha, NE, Joann Keiter, Haysville, KS, Eileen Blasi, Wichita, KS, Michael McManus (Louise), Wilmington, NC, Barbara Smith and (Charles), St. Joseph, MO; brother-in-law’s Eugene Felling, St. Joseph, MO and Joseph Reznic, Fort Smith, Arkansas and sister-in-law Bertha McManus, Streamwood, IL; nieces and nephews: Vicki (Mike) Irey, Overland Park, KS, Brady (Jennifer) Irey and family, Independence, MO, Ashley (Chris) Ernst and family, Glendale, CA, Jessica (Jeremy) Hatfield, Kansas City, KS, Karl (Madonna) Vanzant, Marc Vanzant, Madeline Vanzant, Flower Mound, TX, John Vanzant, Kelly Vanzant, Oregon City, OR, Stephan Vanzant, Blade Vanzant, Raymore, MO, Cindy (Steve) Lanigan, Lenexa, KS, Lauren Lanigan, Lenexa, KS & Erin Lanigan, Lawrence, KS, Pat (Bill) Jones, Mission, KS, Kendra Jones, Santa Monica, CA, Rene Jones, Kansas City, MO, and Cassie Jones, Lawrence, KS, Mark Valencia, Kansas City, MO Memorial services are Saturday, May 20 at St. James UMC, 5540 Wayne Ave, Kansas City. Visitation at 10:00am, followed by memorial service at 11:00am. Interment in Eagleville Masonic Union Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation