Johnnie “John” Lee Kotalik, 80, of Bates City, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 28, 2021. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 10th at Royer Funeral Home of Oak Grove. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
He was born on April 21, 1940 in Table Rock, Nebraska, the only child of John and Erma (Karas) Kotalik. Sometime after graduating from high school he began working for the F.W. Woolworth Company. At 24 years old, he was named manager (one of the youngest managers in company history) of the Woolworth store in Liberal, KS. That started a long career in retail. Because of his excellence in that field, he was transferred to different stores in several states to bring them up to proficient standards. He ended his tenure with them in 1983 when the Woolco division he was working for at the time was liquidated. He then started his own company of selling items at motorcycle rallies and trade shows from Sturgis, South Dakota to Daytona Beach, Florida. He spent most of the last 15 years at Nate’s Swap Shop. He was an extremely friendly man with many acquaintances. He will be greatly missed.
John was preceded in death by his parents.
John is survived by his three children: Michael Kotalik (Cheryl) of St. Louis, MO, Jonna Scott (Allen) of Osage Beach, MO and Tom Kotalik (Lorrie) of Excelsior Springs, MO; five grandchildren: Christy, Rachel, Serena, Graci and Sam; three great-grandchildren: Dalton, Raegan and Grayson; and his partner of 17 years Christina Miller.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
Michael Kotalik
8 Apr 2021He was the best father a person could have. I will miss him.
Ann Jackson
8 Apr 2021I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my heart and prayers.
Rachel Kotalik
10 Apr 2021Thanks Aunt Ann ❤
Rachel Kotalik
10 Apr 2021He was a great man. He used to wait to feed his ducks and chickens until so I could feed them when I’d come to visit.
Chris Miller
12 Apr 2021My love how I do miss you so much. You taught me so much over these 18 years together. I wasn’t ready to give you back to our Lord thy God , However our Lord wanted you and called you back home. Thank you for being the Love of my life.
Sharla Sitzman
16 Apr 2021Johnnie is remembered in his home town of Table Rock, Nebraska. Please contact me and I’ll send a picture to you of the last steam engine thresher harvest in the county, with Johnnie in the group of smiling workers. Wearing a white cowboy hat…. Sharla, Table Rock Historical Society