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John Charles Trewolla

November 12, 1946 - September 29, 2022

 

John Charles Trewolla was born in Kansas City, Mo on Nov 12, 1946 to Hilda and Richard Trewolla.  He grew up in Roeland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission North in 1964.  He attended the University of Kansas, graduating in 1968. He received his MBA from KU, as well.

 

John’s love of electronics led him to working at the new classical radio station KXTR while he was in high school.  During college he worked at both radio and television stations.

 

John was a member of Theta Tau fraternity.

 

After college John worked for Franklin and Associates, Lutz, Daily and Brain and at Bibb and Associates before founding his own company, Computer Programming Services.  Later he worked for Cap Gemini.  Not wanting to travel, he joined with Lidia Young to form a Management Analytics Group.

 

John retired in 2018.

 

In his early years John’s great joy was fixing up and riding his 1970 BMW motorcycle. Taking his wife and later his daughters on camping trips on the bike.

 

Later his pleasure was spending time not fishing at his place at Truman Lake.  He called it “a nickel trailer on a dime lot with a million dollar view”.

 

John and his family have been members at Country Club Christian Church since 1982.  John was an elder and sang in both the chancel choir and in a small ensemble.

 

John and Shelly Cope were married in 1979 and raised their two daughters, Meredith and Adrienne, in their sunny yellow house in Prairie Village. 

 

John passed away at the home, as was his wish, surrounded by his family and supported by the love of many friends.  His was a good life.

 

A visitation will be 10:00 am ,Wednesday, October 12, 2022 followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri. 

 
Send Condolences
Additional Service:
Visitation
Location:
Country Club Christian Church
Address:
6101 Ward Parkway
City:
Kansas City
State:
Missouri
Zip Code:
64113
Date of Service:
Oct 12, 2022
Time of Service:
10:00 am
Additional Information:
No Additional Information Added
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map
Additional Service:
Memorial Service
Location:
Country Club Christian Church
Address:
6101 Ward Parkway
City:
Kansas City
State:
Missouri
Zip Code:
64113
Date of Service:
Oct 12, 2022
Time of Service:
11:00 am
Additional Information:
No Additional Information Added
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map

Condolences

Sheila Evans Sep 30, 2022

Friend ,Prairie Village ,Kansas

Shelly and family, I saw a Facebook posting from Meredith about the death of her dad. I am so very sorry for your loss. John we'll be greatly Missed not only by your family, but also the Kansas City Arts community. My deepest sympathy Sheila

Fred and Abigail Tempel Oct 03, 2022

Friends ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Fred and I were so sorry to hear from Marcia of John's death. Shelly, you, John, and all your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Louise Silber Smith Oct 04, 2022

Old friend ,Lawrence ,Kansas

Sending peace and healing to you, Meredith and Adrienne, Shelly. John was one of the first people I met when I moved to Kansas in 1970. I will never forget his orange leathers and motorcycle as big as a Volkswagen or the adventure of helping him cook a chicken for a visit from his parents.

Robert Dye Oct 09, 2022

I met John at SM North as we had one class together. I vividly remembered him showing me a 3x5 note card that had holes punched in it. He was in the process of making a self-dialing phone. Insert the card and the holes would have the phone dial the number. I asked him, why? His answer - to see if he could.

Barry Sanders Oct 09, 2022

friend ,Grain Valley ,Missouri

I knew John from his computer company (Computer Programming Services), we did a little business together while I was the IT director at Children International. Also, we sat on a technical panel together once or twice after I got to know him. We have not seen each other recently, probably for around 20 years, but I still remember how impressed I was with his high intelligence and problem solving skills. My condolences to the family! Barry Sanders

Tom & Anita Wertz Oct 09, 2022

Friend ,Tulsa ,Oklahoma

We were saddened to hear of John's passing. We remember his love of a good laugh, his beautiful voice, and his devotion to God and family. The last sentence of his obituary was particularly meaningful. He personified gratitude for life in all its complexity. Please accept our condolences and take good care at this tender time. Sincerely, Anita & Tom

Lane Klein Oct 09, 2022

Fellow church member & family friend ,Prairie Village ,Kansas

I remember fondly the Trewolla family and especially John who had an amazing friendly personality, always kind and considerate. His interest in electronics naturally led him to be ambitious and creative which provided him the attributes to be a successful business man. His family enriched my service at Countryside Christian Church in the early years of 1960. God's grace and blessing be with his family now and forever.

Joyce Hagen Mundy Oct 10, 2022

Friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Shelly You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. John will be missed at the Mayor’s Holiday Party.

Bonnie Oct 10, 2022

Shelly, I and your PV Arts Council friends are thinking of you and sending you our love. John is gone too soon, and I'm so glad I got to meet him while he was with us.

Farris Van Meter Oct 11, 2022

Cousin in law ,Nahant ,Massachusetts

Shelly, Meredith and Adrienne, I am so sorry that John is gone. He was always bright, strong wit, techy and interesting. My deepest sympathy for his passing and your sorrow. He was a brighter beam in our cosmos and will continue to be so. God Speed, sorry dears. Love, Van

Keith Washburn Oct 12, 2022

Fan of all Trewolla's ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Sending my condolences… Beautiful service and wonderful spread afterwards… thanks!!! I have told my favorite John Trewolla stories time and time again… and will continue. And my son will always be indebted to John, as are many other of John’s “Sunday school kids“ — RIP my friend!

Elizabeth Cook Oct 13, 2022

Friend ,Shawnee ,Kansas

My husband taught electronics to a few junior high students in our home. John and his parents were special people and meant a lot to us.

Brenda Harden Oct 15, 2022

Friend-acquaintance ,Shawnee Mission ,Kansas

Always remember John as the friendly face I sent my lobster orders to. Really nice guy. Sorry for your loss! Sending prayers your way!

Anne Haraughty Jan 02, 2023

friend ,Shawnee ,Kansas

It was an honor to get to know John through our visits at CCCC. He will be dearly missed. Sending prayers for peace and comfort for all his loved ones!

Marian Weeks Jul 04, 2023

friend ,Lawrence ,Kansas

Dear Trewolla family, John was a dear dear friend who helped start the Headquarters Crisis Center in Lawrence, Kansas where I had volunteered and worked. For a while, our circle of friends was like a family that gathered on holidays and gave each other hugs and support. He was most supportive of all my friends when a love in my life who asked me to consider a life with him died suddenly in a car wreck. He was a rock in a storm. I loved hearing about his inventions for his home, for a KU Child Development Center. His mind was encylopedic and kind. He was a good good person to me and so many others.

Gloria Christie Nov 11, 2024

Employee ,Mission ,Kansas

John gave me a rare opportunity when I was 34. He hired me as one of his VP's when women had not really entered management. He was far before his time. My deepest sympathies to Shelly and his daughters. I'm sorry I did not know earlier.