John R. Messer

Mass of Christian Burial for John Raymond Messer, 83, Lawrence, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service at the church. John passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

John was born on February 9, 1938 in Lawrence, KS, the first son of Gerald C. and Esther L. (Hagen) Messer. John grew up in rural Baldwin City and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1956. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, spending most of his enlistment in Anchorage, Alaska as a proud member of the 6981st RGM unit. After his military service, he settled in Lawrence, Kansas where he worked briefly at the box factory but soon moved on to a position as an operator at the KP&L (Now Evergy) power plant. He later completed an electrical apprenticeship through KP&L and worked in the power plant as an industrial electrician. He retired from KPL (then Westar) in 1995 after 35 years of service. After retirement, he worked at Hobby Lobby.

When Corpus Christi Parish was established in 1981, he served on their first parish council and volunteered his time there wherever and whenever needed.

John was an avid model railroader with extensive layouts both inside and outside.

He also volunteered at the Midland Railroad in Baldwin where he enjoyed what he called “the big stuff”.

In early 1966 his friend, Jerry Shipman had introduced John to his cousin, Darinda Messer, a nursing student in Kansas City. They married later that year in October and shared over 54 years.

John is survived by his wife, Darinda; their daughter, Jill Nuti (Michael Nuti), Danville, CA; their son, Michael Messer (Tina Clark), Phoenix, AZ; two grandchildren, Karissa Nuti, Jate Nuti; two brothers, Warren Messer, Maple Valley, WA, Richard Messer (Cassandra Rivers), Lecompton, KS; nephews, James Messer & Jesse Messer; and his cousin, Annetta Ramsey, Longmont, CO.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to Corpus Christi Catholic Church or the Lawrence Humane Society and Parkinson Foundation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.