John D. VanGorkom

Fire Chief John Dyer VanGorkom (Ret.), 76, of Pleasant Hill, was born December 20, 1949, in Gardner, Kansas, the son of Woodrow W. and Velma L. (Greer) VanGorkom. He departed this life Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Lee's Summit Medical Center.

John attended Judy School, a one room schoolhouse west of Pleasant Hill, through the third grade. He then transferred to Pleasant Hill graduating in 1967. He later graduated from Penn Valley Community College where he earned his EMT/Paramedic license. He was accepted and certified in the first Paramedic class at Penn Valley in the state of Missouri.

On December 10, 1971, he was united in marriage to Kathleen M. Dinges in Pleasant Hill and to this union two children, John Jr. and Ryan were born. They enjoyed over 54 years of marriage.

John was a man of service to his country, community, and family. Following graduation, John worked at Western Electric in Lee's Summit before joining the Navy. He was a United States Navy Vietnam War Veteran, 1969 to 1970 serving active duty aboard the USS Ticonderoga.

In 1972, he accepted a position at Lee's Summit Fire Department where he served for 31 years retiring in 2003. Realizing he wasn’t quite ready for retirement, John accepted the position of Fire Chief of Sni Valley Fire Protection District where he served the Oak Grove community for 11 years and celebrated his second retirement in 2014.

Professionally, John served as treasurer of the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs for 32 years. He was also named Executive Director for Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs Association after retiring from Lee's Summit Fire Department.

All while working in the fire service full time he also served in the Army, Navy, and United States Air Force reserves. He retired after 21 years (7 years in each branch) with a final full military retirement from the Navy.

He served his local community as Mayor of Pleasant Hill for two terms, on the Pleasant Hill R-III Board of Education, leading the district as Board President for 5 years, and was a member of the Pleasant Hill Fire Protection Board. He was a part of and past Commander of V.F.W. Post #3118, Pleasant Hill; Jewel Lodge #480 A.F. & A.M., and a member and deacon of the Pleasant Hill 1st Presbyterian Church.

One of John's favorite gigs was working part time for the Kansas City Chiefs organization for 32 years, retiring in 2025. He started as a ball boy on the sideline and was later promoted to the position of NFL Officials Locker Room attendant and supervisor of the chain crew and ball boys. He loved his KC Chiefs!

John was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Caroline Ann Johnson, JoAnn Cooke, June Marie VanGorkom, and Velma Lee "Petie" Johnson.

He is survived by his wife Kathy of Pleasant Hill; two sons, John Dyer (and Janet) VanGorkom Jr. of Nixa, Missouri, and Patrick Ryan (and Ashley) VanGorkom of Jackson, Missouri; five grandchildren, Hannah Marie Guthrie, Christian Parker VanGorkom, Rykker Blue VanGorkom, Locke Ryan VanGorkom, and Rook Navy VanGorkom; two great grandchildren, Dakota Russell Guthrie and Casey Dyer Guthrie; four sisters, Mary Sue McHenry of Belton, Linda Lee (and Jim) Christopherson of Lathrop, Nancy Jane Ferrel (and Jerre) of Lee's Summit, and Joyce Marie (and Mark) Yager of Pleasant Hill; other relatives and a host of many friends.

Visitation will be held 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Church. Pastor David Hackett will officiate. A Final Salute Ceremony will be conducted by Past Commander Ron Beatty and the V.F.W. Post #3118 members. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Navy and V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard. A bell ringing ceremony will be conducted by the Lee's Summit Firefighter Honor Team. Casket bearers are John VanGorkom, Jr., Ryan VanGorkom, Christian VanGorkom, Brian Dinges, Rod Graves and Brad Graves. Honorary casket bearers are Bill Dinges, Frank Dinges, Rick Dinges, and Lindsey Graves.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Pleasant Hill V.F.W. Post #3118 and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550.