John Robert Washburn, 89, of Grain Valley, Missouri, died July 2, 2025, surrounded by family at his home of more than 35 years, which was lovingly referred to as “The Farm”.

Known first as a loving son, husband, father and grandfather, John also leaves his legacy of a life well-lived as a public servant, entrepreneurial businessman, real estate developer, electronic expert, pilot, world traveler and automated music box collector. Born in Hickman Mills, Mo, on October 19, 1935 to John Claudius Washburn and Cora Fair Pennington, he grew up in Grain Valley, Mo, graduating from Grain Valley High School in 1953 before volunteering his service in the U.S. Marine Reserves. John married his high school sweetheart Barbara Rose Overall on July 20, 1956 at the minister’s home in Independence, Mo. He was first smitten with the young girl whose Whizzer motorized bicycle he had repaired when she was only 12. Little did he know at that time that she would become his bride and love of his life. John passed just a few weeks shy of their 69^th wedding anniversary. John and Barbara grew their family with a son, John Markus Washburn of Grain Valley and daughter, Susan Washburn Snyder (Gailen) of Lee’s Summit, Mo. Barbara and the children survive him, as do grandsons, Britton L. Snyder (Nicole), of Platte Woods, Mo, J. Brian Snyder (Luisa) of Lee’s Summit, Mo, great grandchildren, Gavin L. Snyder and Vivian R. Snyder of Platte Woods, Mo and nephews Steve Feagans of Atoka, Ok, Mike Feagans of Grain Valley, Mo and Phil Staggs of Lee’s Summit.

Preceding him in death were John’s four sisters, Winona Feagans, Raydean Reese, MaryLois Staggs and Loletta Whitaker, and his brother Dale Washburn as well as many nieces and nephews.

As a child, John became fascinated by the inner workings of clocks, music boxes and other such gadgets, and he spent much time marveling at the turnings of cogs and gears. That perhaps was the spark that ignited his passion and talents for electronic repairs. After a fire destroyed John’s childhood home and everything in it, including his favorite music box, from Germany, belonging to his Great Grandfather, John Zismer. John made a successful effort to replace the music box with an identical replica that he cherished for life. His enthusiasm for collecting unique music boxes became a passionate hobby during retirement. He was a member of the Automated Musical Instrument Collectors Association and also the Music Box Society International, traveling through North America and Europe to tour other collections and museums. He loved sharing his automated musical instrument collection with other club members and anyone who was interested. As a teen John began servicing car radios for dealers in Independence, and used his skills also as President of the RPM’s Car Club, building and racing a hot rod known as “The Mortgage Wagon”. In his attempt to impress, John engineered a system wherby he put spark plugs in the exhaust system that would ignite and usually thrill onlookers. Also, a licensed HAM radio operator he enjoyed hours of talking to folks all over the world. John took to the skies, earning his Pilot’s license in 1958 then becoming Instrument and Commercially rated, and buying his first of several planes in 1957. His favorite being the US-manufactured Mooney which he owned several and flew for many years. He was an early member and later president of the Grain Valley Airport Corp, which later became East Kansas City Airport. One of his favorite flights were the ones he took with his grandsons to and from the airfield at  The Farm. His hanger at the farm boast a large TWA sign out front which he referred to as “Tiny Washburn Airlines”. His technical skills and entrepreneurial instincts led him into television repair, and he opened his first business-Washburn TV Repair – in Independence, Mo, in the early 1950’s. That business later grew into Washburn TV Sales and Service with four locations in the KC metro, and then he went on to acquire Birdview Satellite Sales and Manufacturing in Chanute, Kansas. John led his company to earn recognition as a factory authorized service center, which thrived throughout the 1980’s. He retired in 1993, but worked as a Real Estate developer throughout his adult life, buying and subdividing several properties throughout Eastern Jackson County. John maintained a busy lifestyle with more than a few hobbies, including building a motorized gate at the Farm and a tram at the lake Ozark’s cabin. John and Barbara loved to travel, domestic and internationally. His bucket list trip was taking Barbara on a month-long African Safari by train, visiting many sites and reserves. Many other trips involved friends and family exploring the US, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, Russia and most of Europe. John was a member of the Jackson County Missouri Planning Commission for several years. A founding member of the Grain Valley Historical Society and recognized as a pillar of the Grain Valley community, Member of the Lions club of Independence, Ararat Shrine Temple of Kansas City now Blue Springs, Mo. Boy Scouts of America and Honorary Warrior of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

The family would like to thank KU Medical Center, Dr. Cho Huang and Dr. Charles Porter also Saint Luke’s Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Gendel for their expertise and compassionate care. A huge thank you to the Ascend Hospice staff for making his last months of life as productive and comfortable as possible.

The family is planning a private gathering on John and Barb’s anniversary to honor and celebrate John’s life.

Obituary submitted by family

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64075 816-847-4441