KLING, John Robert "Jack" - b. November 8, 1946 - d. January 10, 2015

[patyrn]

John Robert "Jack" Kling, 68, an engineer with Burns & McDonnell, died January 10, 2015 at his home in Leawood, Kansas.  He was born November 8, 1946 in Winfield, Kansas to Harold and Anne Kling.

John grew up in Howard, Kansas and graduated from Howard High School in 1964.  He received a Pre-Engineering Associate Degree from Independence Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1969 from Kansas State University.  After working one year with Boeing and one year with Black & Veatch, John joined the United States Navy, completing an advanced electronics program and graduating from Officer Candidate School.  He then served as a commissioned officer on an admiral's staff and aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Hull in the Vietnam War.

In 1971, John married Jean Marcel Haines of Wichita, Kansas.  They had two sons, Jason Harold Kling was born March 11, 1980 and Jeffrey Adam Kling was born December 22, 1982.  After finishing his service in the Navy in 1976, John began his long career with Black & Veatch where he worked from 1976 to 2001.  Later he worked for Xcel Energy in Omaha, Nebraska and Stanley Consultants Inc. in Muscatine, Iowa.  He ended his career with Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City.

John was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.  For 30 years, he was a member of the Jacomo Sailing Club where he competed successfully in the club's racing events and for three years served as club commodore.  John was also area governor of Toastmasters International, President of the Kansas City Chapter of the Instrument Society of America, and he was active with his sons in the Boy Scouts of America.  He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.  He had a passion for K-State sports, was an avid sailor, and enjoyed restoring his '69 Plymouth Charger.  He was the victim of a brain tumor.

John is survived by his wife, Jean, of the home; his mother, Anne Kling of El Dorado, Kansas; his sons, Jason Kling of Olathe, Kansas and Jeffrey and wife, Marian of Roeland Park, Kansas; his granddaughter, Olivia Kling; a sister, Deborah A. Myers of Louisburg, Kansas; his brothers, William H. "Bill" Kling of The Woodlands, Texas, Michael C. Kling of Anacortes, Washington, and James D. Kling of Brighton, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Henry Kling of El Dorado, Kansas.

Memorial services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W. 71st Street in Prairie Village, Kansas.  Family will greet friends in the church parlor at 2:00 p.m.  The family suggests contributions to Asbury United Methodist Church or the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion in Westwood, Kansas.  Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.

John was an excellent sailor, respected engineer, and loving husband and father who will be greatly missed.

Arrangements are with the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.

(taken from the Johnson County Funeral Chapel website)