John L. Livingston

John Lewis Livingston, 88 of Independence, MO passed away Mon. Jul 31, 2006 at his home. Services will be 1:00 pm Sat. Aug 5, 2006 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. Indep. MO. Graveside services will be 3:30 pm Saturday at the Graceland Cemetery, Cameron, MO. Visitation will be 7 - 8:30 pm Friday at the Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Optimist International Clockwinders Club c/o Sandy Kelly, 15024 W. 14th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66062 or to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 3601 S. Sterling Ave, Indep. MO 64052. Mr. Livingston was born on Aug. 26, 1917 to Clarence and Bertha (Parker) Livingston in Lathrop, MO. He was the third of five boys. He was captain of the football team and president of the senior class at Cameron High School in 1936. He met Alice May Williams in October of 1938 and made her his bride on July 30, 1939. He served as a Technical Sergeant in the 458th Bombardment of the Army Air Corps during WWII and was stationed in Norwich, England. Upon returning home in 1945 he and Alice moved to Olathe, KS. He had been a delivery driver for Wonder Bread from 1948 until he retired in 1975 with routes in Olathe and Kansas City, KS. Upon his retirement, he found his niche with Optimist Club International living the Optimist Creed even before he knew of the organization. He belonged to the Olathe Noon club and then the Olathe Clockwinders. He was elected Kansas District Governor for the year 1989-90. He was a lifelong member. John and his wife moved to Independence, MO in 1997 to be near their daughter and her family. There he was a member of St. Paul Methodist Church where they especially enjoyed fellowship with the "Fun Agers�. John never met a stranger and loved everyone. He would give anybody a chance and was a strong believer in our youth. He spent the last seven years battling chronic Lymphatic Leukemia, then Lymphoma, finally succumbing to cirrhosis but always with a smile and an optimistic outlook. He was entertaining and charming even during his two recent ER visits and lengthy ICU stays at Independence Regional Health Center. Never one to be ignored, he will live on in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him. John was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Guy, Don, CA (Dutch) and Roy (Bill) Livingston. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice May, his daughter Cheryl (Chere) Smith and her husband Anthony, grandsons Adam Rogers and Collin Smith, Many nieces and nephews along with many great friends and fellow Optimists.