John Frank Barco Jr., formerly of Du Quoin

DU QUOIN - John Frank Barco, Jr., 88, of Kansas City, Missouri, and formerly of Du Quoin, passed away on March 31, 2019 due to a fall in the home. He had been ill since March 8.

John was born on April 19, 1930 to parents Blanche (Dickens) and John Frank Barco Sr. and raised in Du Quoin. He loved to reminisce about his idyllic childhood in that small town where he was surrounded by loving relatives.

Following high school. he attended Rose Polytechnic Institute and DePauw University, where he received a degree in economics.

He married his high school sweetheart, Diana Copeland, of Du Quoin, in 1952. They celebrated 66 years of marriage last June. Following John's college graduation, he and Diana lived in Louisville, Ky., where he was a plant manager for General Box Co. Two years later, he was transferred to Kansas City, where he spent the rest of his career working for General Box Co., Olin Matheson Co. and American Box Co.

John and Diana were blessed with three children, John Steve Barco, Jeffrey Reed Barco and John Frank Barco II. When the children were young, the family enjoyed camping, sailing, boating, and visiting historic places in the U.S.

Christmas tradition was important to the family. It always included grandparents and was a joyous time of year.

In retirement, John enjoyed his newly acquired computer skills and was a volunteer for the AARP tax preparers. John was a faithful Christian and enjoyed church fellowship and serving on committees at Northminster.

One of John's greatest joys in life was being a grandpa. His grandchildren are Katherine Barco, Paxton Barco, Annie Barco, John Frank Barco III (Jack), Allison Kemtker and Sarah Wittrock. Many summers were spent with his grandchildren on the family farm in Kearney, Missouri, where John planted trees, hedges, and a large variety of vegetables. With delight, he would display his harvest every fall.

John was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jane Drury, and brother-in-law, Jim Drury.

He is survived by his loving wife, Diana; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Janet, Jeff and Cheri and John and Pattie; his six grandchildren; his niece Sue Phillips; and his three nephews, Matt Drury, John Mike Drury and David Drury. All adored him immensely.

A celebration of life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1441 NE Englewood Road, Kansas City, Missouri.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin with the Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.

Those attending the service are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.