John Manuel Villalpando

John Manuel Villalpando was born in Guanajuato, Mexico in 1940 on December 25th to Henry and Augustina Villalpando.  At the age of 5, his parents decided to come back to the United States as his mother was from Kansas City, Kansas.  John was the oldest of 8 children.  His mother died and so did part of his heart.  Augustina left a 6 week old baby and that is how John started to become a strong person.     During the course of John’s life, he developed work skills and was in the Army.  He was stationed in Korea and always said it was very cold and he did not enjoy it, yet that made him stronger.  This led John to his career at the Board of Public Utilities where he worked for 30 years and received a ring in gratitude for his service.  John was very proud of it because it represented part of his life.     John always loved his grandchildren.  His and Amparo’s twin grandsons were 4 years old when they married.  The first time the twins met John, Timothy said to him, “I like you, but your Grumpy.” From that day on, the name stuck with John.     The family was always ready to go to World’s of Fun every summer.  John enjoyed riding all of the rides with the grandchildren.  He would go on the ferris wheel and whomever was with him better be prepared for a “good” ride. John would shake the seat so hard and they loved it.     The first year of John and Amparo’s marriage, Amparo bought him a train and started a tradition.  Every year after, another train was added.  He built a table large enough for all of his trains.  There was a train station, tunnel, trees, and all the things that he wanted.     John also enjoyed Mexican music.  He emassed a collection of artists going back 50 years.     John and Amparo also enjoyed going to the casino and eating out.  They lived a full life together.  They are the best of friends and as Amparo’s mother would say, “You are like a couple of kids.”   “When I went to see John a few days ago through his window, we looked at each other and knew that we are okay, we were good.”   “God blessed us as I will always love John and pray that I will see him in heaven.”   Loving and missing John are his sons, daughter, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.  Thank you St. Joseph Family for all of the 6 1/2 years of prayers with gratitude.    ~John and Amparo

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, December 22nd at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 AM.  Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, KS.

If you attend the funeral, the family requests no personal condolences.  They would appreciate no hugging or hand shaking.  Your presence at the funeral shows how much you feel for the family.

The service will be live-streamed.  CLICK HERE to watch.