John Roberts King, 86, peacefully passed away on May 28th, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.
John was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to John Robert King and Ada Alberta (Roberts) King on December 8th, 1939. John moved to Manhattan, Kansas, in 1941 and spent his formative years there. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1957 and then attended Kansas State University.
John’s best times were spent outdoors, helping the community and laughing with friends. He was hired by WIBW as the first full time outdoorsman and there he had a radio show and television show from 1964 to 1972. John used this platform to raise awareness of issues affecting Kansas wildlife, to share the joys and skills of fishing and hunting, and to educate sportspeople at all levels on Kansas conservation.
One of John’s proudest accomplishments was his reporting on pollution in the newly created John Redmond Resevoir. John produced a film special that included footage of farm and mining runoff causing mass fish kills. The attention caused by the film contributed to public outcry which led to the Arkansas River Compact, ratified in 1966. The Compact drove pollution abatement efforts leading to healthier lakes and rivers across Kansas.
Through his outdoors work, John accumulated many accolades, including President of the Olathe Sportsmen’s Club, President of the Great Lakes Outfitters’ Association, Director of the Outdoor Writers of Kansas, Conservation Communication Award from the National Wildlife Federation presented by Governor Robert Docking in 1970, and U.S. Open Fishing Tournament champion in 1969 (along with 1970 and 1971 following the discovery that the individuals who initially won had cheated). John enjoyed taking many prominent people fishing, including Ewing Kaufman, Senator Bob Dole, and Governor Docking.
John remained in touch and involved with his high school class. He organized reunions, class publications, and contact lists to allow all class members to stay in touch. John and Linda were known to dance the night away at the class reunions then play golf at daybreak with old friends.
Along with maintaining old friendships, John picked up new friends at every opportunity. A man who never met a stranger, John referred to everyone by first name and had an incredible talent to remember names and faces. His friendly demeanor, ability to connect with anyone, generosity, and commitment to staying in touch meant that his friend group expanded daily.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Bertie and John King and his daughter, Andrea Heiling. He is survived by his wife, Linda King, children John King (Kathy), Elizabeth Singer (Daniel), David King (Susan Smith), Jennifer Christie (Sean). He will be remembered by grandchildren Michelle Edmondson (Ryan), Brittany Bailey (Jared), Elizabeth King, Kelly King, Sarah King, Sean Singer (Emmett), Jack Singer, and Campbell Christie, and great-grandchildren Liam, and Lilly, Seymour, and Delia. He is also survived by siblings Jimmy King, Phil King, Kenny King, Becky Fuller, Bill King, Nancy King-Gracey, and brother-in-law and wife Colin and Liz Hay.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Andrews Golf Club on June 10th at 2:00pm. For those who are unable to attend in person, the celebration of life will be streamed online at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87352993989
Per John’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kansas Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children Kansas CASA Association Home Page. John would also encourage you to go fishing and golfing and to laugh often.
Celebration of Life
June 10th 2:00pm
St. Andrews Golf Club
11099 W 135th St
Overland Park, KS 66221
