Jon Stephen Grote, 72, Centerview, Missouri passed on Monday, December 11th, 2023, at Kansas University Cancer Center, Kansas City KS, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann Grote of Centerview, MO; sons Joshua Grote, Mound City, KS; and Jared Grote, Kansas City, Missouri; daughters Tiffany (Jamie) Parks, Grain Valley, MO; Stacey (Mark) Gates, Kansas City, KS; Shayla Gedrose, Raymore, MO; and Dana Sanders, Beavercreek, OH.; 13 Grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene “Gene” Grote and Lisbeth Grote; four brothers: Donald Grote Wayne Grote, Logan Grote, Alan Grote; and grandson, Evan Cowan.
Jon was born in Independence, Missouri on March 6, 1951, to Eugene and Lisbeth (Bowers) Grote, Oak Grove, MO. He graduated from Oak Grove High School in 1969. Following High School, Jon joined the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department, where he served for 26 years. Jon spent the majority of his career as a Fire-Fighter Apparatus Operator and promoted early to Driver. Jon had many different Station Assignments throughout his Firefighting career. His last two assignments were Station 39 and Richard’s Gebauer AFB. After Retiring from the KCMO Fire Department, Jon attended the University of Central Missouri and attained two professional HVAC certifications.
Jon was an avid sports enthusiast his entire life. Jon enjoyed playing and coaching sports. Jon’s Senior year, his team (Oak Grove Panthers) competed at the Missouri State Basketball Championship. Jon loved water sports, boating, water skiing and lake life–as well as many outdoor activities. Jon taught many people how to water ski and was proficient with trick skis. Jon hunted, fished, and played many rounds of golf throughout his life. Jon and Ruth Ann attended many sporting events over the years. From watching his nephew Morgan play ball for William Jewell to watching the kids and grandchildren play every sport. Jon could often be found at a sporting event. Earlier this year, Jon ensured that the TV in his hospital room was set up so he could watch his grandson Gus play high school football. He was so dedicated to watching the Mules and Jennies of University of Central Missouri– football, volleyball, baseball and soccer that he was given unofficial “Mule and Jennie Parent” status. He traveled all over the country to attend sporting events for family, friends and his beloved UCM players.
Jon was an active board member of Columbus, Missouri Christian Fellowship and was very active in philanthropy and charity work. Jon also served as the Union Stewart for the laborers at University of Central Missouri where he worked following retirement from the fire department. Jon was passionate about helping others and served as an election judge for many years in Johnson County, Missouri. Jon helped many people throughout his life, offering service, advice, help and love.
Jon was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on March 21, 2022. His daughter Tiffany graciously donated life-saving bone marrow for him. Jon was a valiant warrior and fought hard to overcome his cancer. He teamed with Dr. Muhammad Umair Mushtaq. Jon was adamant that everyone knew how highly he regarded Dr. Mushtaq—and that he was not only his physician–but became his friend. Jon developed Graft Vs. Host Disease as a result of his body rejecting the bone marrow transplant. Jon fought for over 20 months battling Graph Vs. Host. Jon wanted his case to be studied, in the hopes it could later help others. Jon’s case became an official study at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Services honoring Jon Stephen Grote will be held Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, Oak Grove, MO–with visitation from 1:30-3:00 pm and funeral services at 3:00 p.m. Charitable contributions may be made in Jon’s honor to the Leukemia Foundation at: www.mikaelrayaanfoundation.org.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO