John Joseph Pirotte, formerly of Leawood, Kansas, passed away November 21, 2018 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. John was born on February 13, 1926 to Henry and Catherine Pirotte in Osborne County, Kansas. He attended high school in Downs, Kansas and was a member of the basketball team.

After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Philippines during World War II where he was a member of the honor guard for the Japanese surrender. He finished his service in Korea.

After returning home, John attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas where he played on the basketball team. He transferred to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and earned his accounting degree. While at Creighton, he met Rosaire Buckley and the two were married in 1955.

John spent his career with John Deere. He and Rosaire lived in Rocky Ford, Colorado and Salina, Kansas before they settled in the Kansas City area to raise their children.

John was a founding member of Curé of Ars Catholic Church, where he served as the president of the school board.  He was an accomplished tennis player and enjoyed being a member of Leawood Country Club. As an avid gardener, he was always happy to share what he grew with friends and family. He was also a gifted painter, several of his works proudly hang in family members’ homes.

John is proceeded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Tom and Jim Pirotte. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosaire, Prairie Village, Kansas; and his children; Mary, Overland Park, Kansas; John, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr. Dan (Katie), Scottsdale, Arizona; Jim (Donna) and Mike, Prairie Village, Kansas; and Chris (Susanne), San Diego along with his grandchildren: Thomas, Sarah, and Katie Broyles; Alex, Nick, and Emma Pirotte; and Ben, Genevieve, and Adeline Pirotte. He is also survived by his sisters, Frances Zink and Pat Fritchsen; brother Dr. Richard Pirotte, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. with Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Catholic Charities. The family would like to thank the staff at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg and Kansas City Hospice for the wonderful care they provided John.