John K. Fritz Sr. passed away March 26th. 2023 peacefully at home with family by his side. He was born on December 6, 1932, at home to E.M. and Olga R. (Kogler) Fritz in Gypsum, Kansas. John their second son along with older brother Gilford (Jean) Fritz of Salina, Ks. and younger brother Gene (Margaret) Fritz of Gypsum, Kansas.

As a youth his earliest adventures started on the Kogler’s family farm outside of Gypsum. There he learned to shoot squirrels. He and his two brothers would travel by train to San Diego, California to visit their Uncle John and Aunt Hulda. John graduated from Gypsum Rural High School and was in the class of 1950.

The Fritz family attended the United Methodist Church, John was baptized as a youth. He later was baptized in believers’ faith at the First Baptist Church in Carlton, Ks. John went into the Army in 1953 and was discharged in 1955. During his time in the Army, he spent his time training and being the camp cook.

On September 21, 1956, he married Luetta M. Everhart, and they were blessed with their first born in 1958, son John K. Fritz Jr. (Cindy). The marriage was blessed with another son Jeffery (Cindy) in 1960, two daughters Dayna Spies in 1962, and Diana (Kent) Sutton in 1963. The blessing continued with 28 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

John sat on the Gypsum city council from 1967 to 1971. On May 11th, 1981, he resigned as Mayor of Gypsum. At the time of his retirement he had worked at Frisbie Const Co Inc for 39 years as a laborer, Superintendent and Purchasing Agent. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, snow skiing, billiards, playing softball and playing a round of golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Kirk Heigele, son Jeffery and two grandsons Nathan and Jonathan Sutton.

There were much more adventures in John’s life to be mentioned but with all that being said, John was a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grand Father, Employee and Civil Servant. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be Friday, March 31 at Ryan Mortuary from 4-8 pm. Service will be 10 am Saturday, April 1, 2023 at First Baptist Church Salina. Burial will follow at the Gypsum City Cemetery, Gypsum, Ks.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Gypsum and sent in care of Ryan Mortuary.