John Paul Harvat

John Paul Harvat, age 52, passed away peacefully at home June 30th, 2023 due to complications from cancer. He was born April 6, 1971 in North Platte, NE to Tom and Rose Ann Harvat. He married Shelly, the love of his life, on June 5, 1999 and they “partied like it was 1999”.  John and Shelly have three girls, Holland Faith, Harbour Shea, and Havayah Grace. John was one of five siblings, Natalie (Chris) Bubak, Keith Harvat, Brian (Charity) Harvat, and Teresa (Robert) Martin. John had a nickname for everyone, so if you don’t recognize these names, it’s probably because he called them something else.

John was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman (which meant he knew how to tell a whopper of a story).  He always caught more fish than the guy he went with and always came away with a bigger buck than the guy down the road. John was an optometrist, having graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Indiana University School of Optometry. His exam rooms were often more than just exam rooms as he cared for their souls much more than their eyes. He loved serving and caring for his patients’ needs.

John loved his family well and was so proud of Shelly and his girls. He loved to play games with them, (especially a heated game of pitch) tease them, and make them sit across the back of his Toyota Tundra with limited leg room every Sunday on the way to church, even when they were all grown up. John was very proud of each of his daughters and wanted them to know both his love for them as well as his love of their Heavenly Father.

John loved Jesus and the family of God. He taught many Bible studies, hosted fish fries, led outreaches to children and wanted absolutely everyone to know the grace, mercy, and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. In the last year and a half of John’s life, he spent most of his time fishing for souls rather than fish.  Everyone at his church, Grace Presbyterian, will miss John’s smile, good-natured teasing, and the encouragement he offered as he followed Jesus through every trial and every joy on this side of heaven. If John were to sit with you today, he would want to know if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  Have you experienced what it means to be a part of the family of God and to know the forgiveness of Jesus?

Please join us celebrating John’s life Saturday July 8th at 3:00 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church 3312 Calvin Dr, Lawrence KS 66049.

The family suggests memorials in John’s name to Grace Presbyterian Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

­­­­­­­