John Moore Suder

John Moore Suder, Age 85, Lawrence, Kansas departed this world peacefully on February 6, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.  He battled a heart condition for many years, and his body finally gave in, though his mind was sound and he was witty and sharp as ever all the way through to the end.  John was born on August 25, 1938, to John P. and Ruth Moore Suder.  He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and ventured out to Kansas as a top football recruit.  John attended Kansas University and graduated with a BS and Master’s Degree in Business.  John played 5 years of football in the Big Eight and was on the team that won the controversial Big 8 Conference Championship in 1960 beating Missouri on their home field.  John was also a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.  He also enjoyed music, singing, drama, art and community volunteering and so much more.  John married Carolee Westhafer Suder of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1960 and they enjoyed life in Lawrence raising two daughters, Lee Beth Dever (Suder), and Amy Blake (Suder).

John was a successful Lawrence businessman, financial planner, and insurance salesman for many years, and owned the John M. Suder Agency, Greater Midwest Corporation and Financial Dynamics, Inc.  Years go by, life changes happen, and John met and married the love of his life, Linda Campbell Jerome, who currently survives of the home.  They married January 22, 1983 in Lawrence, and John quickly gained 6 stepchildren who he loved and supported as his very own.  John and Linda enjoyed traveling to other countries, vacationing on the beaches of Mexico, cooking together, being with family, entertaining friends, tailgating, watching sports on TV, and were big fans of KU football, basketball, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Lee Beth Dever (Michael), Lawrnce, Amy Blake (Jim), Cedarburg, Wisconsin; one brother, David Suder and sister-in-law, Sharon Suder, Cincinnati, Ohio; stepchildren, Joe Jerome (Marilyn), Urbandale, Iowa, Judy Odom (Ed), Hayes, Virginia, Patrick Jerome, Rome Italy, David Jerome, Baldwin City, Kansas, Diana Jerome, Baldwin City, Kansas, Mike Jerome (Angela), Eudora, Kansas; grandchildren, McKenzie Branstrom (Drew), Kylie Dister (Cole), Matt Jerome (Kay), Sarah Jerome, Hannah Jones (Ryland), Luke Jerome, Meghan Reynolds (Stacey), Alannah Odom, Rebecca Jerome, Sofia Jerome, Rock Jerome, Amanda Stofko, Micaiah Jerome, Elliana Jerome and Avery Jerome; and great grandchildren, Charlee Branstrom, Braedyn Grassie, Brecken Stofko and Maddox Reynolds.

A private family “Celebration of Life” is planned for a later date, where stories and fond memories of John, Dad & Grandpa will all be shared.  “Family is not an important thing, it’s everything”.  We will miss our loving John M. Suder, more than anything.

Donations may be made in honor of John Suder to the Ballard Center in Lawrence, Kansas and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.