John  Wilhelm Freytag Jr.

John W. Freytag, 86, of Independence, MO passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2015. A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00pm Saturday, August 15, at Carson Speaks Chapel. A memorial service will follow at 2:00pm at the chapel. A reception will be held at Christ United Methodist on 39th St. in Independence, following the service.
John was the youngest child born to John Wilhelm Freytag, Sr. and Emma (Bischoff) Freytag on April 10, 1929 on a farm in Joplin, MO. His family migrated to Kansas City during the great depression. John graduated from Manual High School in 1947. His father passed away when he was fourteen years old making it necessary for him to take odd jobs. Some of the odd jobs he held included cutting meat at a slaughter house, working at Churneykoffs Grocery Store and P&G Grocery until he was drafted into the Korean War in 1951. John was enlisted in Company E, 5th Armed Division as a sharp shooter at Camp Chaffee, AR. He was transferred from sharp shooter to meat cutter on the troop trains and then enlisted in the Reserves until his honorable discharge October 19, 1956. John used the GI Bill to go to college. He graduated from CMSU in 1958 with a double major in Industrial Arts and History with an emphasis in theology. When John’s sister brought Rachel Catherine (Cruce) home to dinner he fell madly in love. The couple was married at Westport Presbyterian Church on May 3, 1956. A year later they built their first and current home in Independence, MO. While finishing college he worked as a Juvenile Delinquent Officer. John began his teaching career as a Mechanical and Industrial Arts teacher at William Chrisman High School. He moonlighted as a meat cutter for A&P Grocery Store while completing his Master’s Degree at CMSU. John went on to be the Assistant to the Superintendent in charge of buildings, grounds, and purchasing for the Independence Public School District. He retired in 1991 only to run for the Board of Education for the IPSD and retired from that position after one six year term. During his thirty four years in the school district, John was active and held the office of President in the following organizations: Independence Kiwanis Club, Phi Delta Kappa, CTA; and after retirement, IRSPA. He continued to be active in many clubs, organizations, and events in retirement including: The Independence Public School Distric Bowling League, Independence Kiwanis Club, church building committees, season ticket holder for the Royals, and the Chiefs, Starlight Theatre, Quality Hill, and American Heartland.
John and Cathy loved to travel, read, and visit family and friends. They were members of the Knife and Fork Club. John was a gifted photographer, building, and master grill chef. He loved cooking gourmet foods and dining out. He enjoyed music, movies, and yard work. John and Cathy were members of Christ United Methodist Church, proud Democrats, and members of the Journeyman’s Sunday School class. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Emma Freytag; brother-in-law, Richard Burnett; and beloved feline companion, Orangie. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Cathy Freytag of the home; daughters, Jacqulyn Landers (Jerrold) of Hartselk, AL; Gwendolyn Zumalt (Brian) of Independence, MO; three granddaughters, Rachel Lee Landers of Birmingham, AL; Elaine Joyce Landers of Atlanta, GA; Kera Nicole Zumalt of Independence, MO; sister, Wilhelmina Barnett of Kansas City, MO; and beloved niece, Sara Reese (Hank) of Kansas City, MO; and numerous canine and feline companions. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Independence Public School District – IRSPA Scholarship Fund, 201 North Forest, Ave. Independence, MO 64050 or to the Independence Kiwanis Club, The Independence Kiwanis Service Fund, C/O Dan Jeffers, Atty. 304 Walnut, Suite 210, Independence, MO 64050. The family would like to thank the Kansas City Hospice for their care in his final days. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson- Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)