John Michael “Jack” Lange

John Michael “Jack” Lange, 19, of Lawrence, KS passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at home on Sunday July 13. Jack, a fifth generation Kansan, was born October 12, 1994 in Lawrence, the son of Mary Pat and Michael D. Lange.

Jack is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Thelma and Virgil Lange of Ellsworth, KS. Survivors include his parents and brother Jared of the home, maternal grandparents Jack and Mary K. Strickland of Kansas City, MO (formerly of Lebanon, MO), Uncles and Aunts Wesley Lange, San Pedro, CA, Jim (Linda) Strickland, St. Louis, MO, Kathy (Jack) Hembree, Liberty, MO, John (Julie) Strickland, Prairie Village, KS, and Michael (Suzy) Strickland, Fort Myers, FL, many cousins and many close friends.

Jack was baptized at Corpus Christi Catholic Church and received sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion there. He attended the Atrium and was confirmed at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. He was a member of the class of 2007 at Raintree Montessori, 2010 graduate of West Jr. High School, and 2013 graduate of Free State High School in Lawrence. He was attending KU. Jack was a 9 year survivor of a brainstem tumor, which he never let slow him down. He will be remembered for his love of music. He started a band at age 15 called The Faded Age that performed in Lawrence, Topeka, and toured the Midwest. The band was one of 4 Kansas City area bands chosen to perform at The Vans Warped Tour at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. He wrote music and lyrics. He was the band’s lead singer despite the vocal cord paralysis related to his tumor. The band recorded two CDs. Jack was an avid reader, loved spending time with his close friends, and enjoyed traveling the country with his brother to attend Pokemon card tournaments at the local, state, national and world level.

When Jack was 2 years old, a family friend asked him his name, and in the beautiful voice of a small child he replied, “My name is John, but my friends call me Jack.” He will always be remembered as Jack and everyone’s friend.

A Rosary vigil will take place at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 19 at the church, 1229 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS. Burial will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma Foundation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

36 Condolences

  1. Pearl J Hurtig on July 15, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Dear Michael,MaryPat and Jared,
    I am so very sorry for your loss,My heart is so heavy with pain,Know that you are all in my Thoughts and Prayers. If there is anything I can do please let me know. Love Pearl



  2. Steve Rector on July 15, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Dear Michael, Mary Pat, and Jared,

    I am so sorry for your loss. The news saddens me greatly. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Steve



  3. Lisa Rector on July 15, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    So sorry to hear of your tragic loss. You are all in my prayers and on my mind. Jack will be greatly missed. Love to all.



  4. Debbie and Derek Rogers on July 15, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    We are so sorry to hear about Jack. You are in our prayers.

    Love Debbie, Derek, Jake and Piper



  5. The Knudson Family on July 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Mary Pat, Michael and Jared,
    We are so sorry to learn of Jack’s passing. Your family is in our hearts, and we hope that you gain strength from the love surrounding you during this very difficult time.
    with our deepest condolences,
    Arnie, Karla, Kristofer and Annika Knudson



  6. Kelly and Dianne Gonser on July 16, 2014 at 4:13 am

    Dear Michael,MaryPat and Jared,
    Words can’t describe the sorrow we feel for you and your family at his difficult time of your lives. Hold each other close, keep Jacks memories close to your hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Our deepest sympathy,
    The Gonser family- Kelly, Dianne, Lindsey, Dane and Tyler



  7. Mark and Heide Connolly on July 16, 2014 at 4:41 am

    Dr. and Mr. Lange,

    We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We never had the opportunity to meet Jack but heard of his condition and triumphs during our annual eye exams. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Mark and Heide Connolly



  8. Bill and Betty Mackey on July 16, 2014 at 4:56 am

    Thinking of you.



  9. Colette Gaches on July 16, 2014 at 5:20 am

    Dear MaryPat,Michael, and Jared,

    We are so sorry for your loss. We have many fond memories of our kids together when they were young. You are in our prayers.

    Love,
    Colette , Ron, Jordan, and Katie Gaches



  10. Michele Caldwell on July 16, 2014 at 6:26 am

    Dear Michael, Mary Pat and Jared,
    Please accept our sincerest condolences for your son Jack. It is with great sadness we learned of his sudden passing. Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
    Blessings,
    The Caldwell family~ Joe, Michele, Jacob, Courtney, Brady and Grace



  11. Jack and Sherry Leftwich on July 16, 2014 at 8:04 am

    This patient/aviation family shares your grief with the profound loss of your son.
    May he soar on the wings of angels.



  12. Elizabeth Mowery on July 16, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Mike, Mary Pat and Jared,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.
    Randy and Liz Mowery



  13. Joe Snook on July 16, 2014 at 9:15 am

    Mike & Mary Pat,

    My heart has been heavy since hearing the news about your son Jack. My thoughts are with all of you and your family as you go through this. We are all with you, ….. sincerely, Joe



  14. Roger and Jan McCaulley on July 16, 2014 at 11:33 am

    Michael and family,
    We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Roger and Jan



  15. Gary and MJ Clapp on July 16, 2014 at 11:49 am

    Dear Mary Pat, Michael, and Jared,
    We are deeply saddened to hear of Jack’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
    With much love,
    MJ, Gary, Austin and Garrick Clapp



  16. Sandy Rathbun on July 16, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Dear Michael and family,
    My deepest sympathy to you all. Jack sounds like an amazing person who lived a very joyful life. I am very sorry for your loss.
    Sandy



  17. Griffin E. Nelson on July 16, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    He was a great band member and a great friend. His music will live on. He lived life to the fullest. A wonderful guy with a heart of gold. Im sorry for your loss. I wish you all the best.



  18. Steve & Monica Gutierrez on July 16, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Dear Michael, Mary Pat, & Jared,
    Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family. May you be surrounded with love and prayers at this time.

    Steve and Monica



  19. btlong@sunflower.com on July 16, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Our deepest sympathy, Bill & Teri Long



  20. Paul Morte on July 16, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    Michael and Mary Pat,
    I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Jack. He sounds like a wonderful young man who has lived a very successful life inspite of circumstances, and I know what great parents you were to him. My deepest condolences.

    Paul



  21. Sonja Everhart on July 16, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Dear Michael, MaryPat and Jared, I am so sad to hear of your loss. I will continue to pray for the Lord to bear you up in your grief. Much love to all of you. Sonja



  22. Marion and Atlee Vernon on July 17, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Dear Mary Pat and Michael, we are very sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you frequently and praying for you at this time.

    Marion and Atlee Vernon



  23. Loren and Callie Reber on July 17, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Dear Michael and Family.

    We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Jack will always live in your hearts. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel God’s comfort and presence.

    Loren and Callie



  24. Virgil Dean on July 18, 2014 at 1:52 am

    I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of your son, Jack. But of course, he is not lost, and I know you are comforted by the knowledge that he now rests in the arms of our Lord.



  25. Tony and Patty Winslow on July 18, 2014 at 2:41 am

    Mike,Mary Pat, and Jared,
    We are so sorry about your loss. Jack was a strong, amazing young man who provided a positive role model and great friendships to many people. May God be with you and provide you strength through your difficult times ahead.
    With much love,
    Tony and Patty



  26. The Burrichter Family on July 18, 2014 at 4:45 am

    Dear Mary Pat, Michael and Jared-

    Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.

    Kristine, Mike, Josh, Jack, Rachel and Sarah



  27. Bob Hurst on July 18, 2014 at 5:33 am

    Please accept my deepest sympathies.



  28. Becky and Randy Holm on July 18, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Mike, Mary Pat and Jared,

    We are devasted to hear about Jack and have been offering prayers for you and your extended family durning this difficult time.

    Randy and Becky Holm



  29. Phil and Gail Gaus on July 19, 2014 at 3:01 am

    Dear Mike Mary Pat and Jared,

    We are so very sorry to hear about Jack. Our prayers are with all of you. He will be such a light in heaven.

    Phil ans Gail Gaus



  30. Joan Craig on July 19, 2014 at 5:54 am

    “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy”

    Eskimo proverb

    Kindest wishes,
    Joan



  31. Mike and Debbie Zabel, Matt and Lauren on July 19, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    MaryPat, Michael and Jared,

    We will always remember Jack as the intelligent, kind, friendly, and caring Raintree kid when we knew him the best. The world is a better place because he was in it. He will be missed by a great many people and that is testament to the special young man that he was.

    You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

    -Mike, Debbie, Matt, and Lauren



  32. Trudy&Scott Reiss on July 22, 2014 at 8:23 am

    Dr. Lange & family We wanted to say how sorry we are for your loss. It will take time, but hopefully God will help you all get through this. You are in our prayers,God Bless. Trudy Reiss Niki’s Mom.



  33. Katrina Kovarik-Stevens on July 22, 2014 at 10:28 am

    Dear Mary Pat and family: You will remember me as one of the Kovarik sisters from St. Francis De Sales Parish in Lebanon, MO. I was so saddened to hear about the death of your beautiful, creative son. I understand what you are going through, as Randy & I lost our son, Clay about 18 months suddenly as well. There are no words to offer, but please know that I am sending you love and light. Time will make it a little easier, but mostly the peace in knowing that he was a gift for the time he was with you. Some special spirits are not meant to live on this earth as long as others and that is hard to accept when you are the one left behind, but rest assured that your lives are forever changed because of his life and death. I hope these few words are a comfort. Blessings to you and yours in your time of grief. Please feel free to contact me if you feel you need a sympathetic ear. With great love: Trina



  34. Mary Smith on July 22, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    Mary Pat, Michael, and Jared,
    I just heard about Jack and am so very sorry about his death. He was a very special boy and you will keep all the memories of the years past in your hearts. Today the smiles may be few, but soon there will be many smiles that come from those memories. I know that God is holding each of you in his hands and may you find peace with His love and the love of your family and friends. God bless each of you.
    Mary Smith



  35. Mary & Jim Spreitzer on July 23, 2014 at 9:29 am

    We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest condolences and know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
    May God bless and keep you,
    Mary and Jim Spreitzer



  36. Dan & Joan Hix and family on July 27, 2014 at 10:06 am

    Dear Michael, Mary Pat, and Jared,

    We’re so sorry for the loss of this special young man. He will be deeply missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

    Love,

    Dan, Joan, Dana, Bryan, Jean, Rob, Aaron, Anthony, Alton, Helen and Rosie.



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