John Thomas Weatherwax

Funeral services for John Thomas Weatherwax, 87, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.Mr. Weatherwax died Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.He was born Dec. 24, 1920, in Wichita, the son of Lester F. and Laura Hancock Weatherwax. He graduated from Wichita East High School in 1938. He graduated from Kansas University with a bachelor’s degree in 1942, a certified public accountant degree in 1949 and a master’s degree in 1955.Mr. Weatherwax served in the U.S. Army in the Southwest Pacific and Philippines. He attained the rank of captain and received the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart with two clusters.He was an instructor of accounting and economics at Wichita State University and Kansas University in the late 1940s. He then became office manager of Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation from 1950 to 1952. He was a self-employed certified pubic accountant from 1952 to 1966 and from 1974 to 2002, and was a principle in Viking Investment Corporation from 1966 to 1974. He was also a sportscaster for Lawrence High School football games on KLWN radio from 1953 to 1981 and taught adult education courses at Lawrence High School for eight semesters. He was a Lawrence city commissioner from 1953 to 1961 and served as mayor from 1957 to 1961.Mr. Weatherwax was an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster. He was a two-term president of the League of Kansas Municipalities, treasurer and member of the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, and a past member of the Lawrence Memorial Hospital board of directors and Lawrence Public Library board of directors.He was a past vice president, treasurer and board member of Wichita Jaycees; a former member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and Big Blue Sportsman’s Club; treasurer of Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation; treasurer of Douglas County Republican Central Committee; a secretary and board member of Lawrence Country Club; past president and board member of DCCCA; and president and director of the Cottonwood Foundation. He enjoyed bridge, Republican politics, music and golf, winning the city championship, second flight, in 1973. He was a life member of the Musicians Local 34-627, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, KU Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Psi, Scabbard and Blade, and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was also a life member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Federation of Musicians.Mr. Weatherwax enjoyed jazz music and had played in the Junk Yard Jazz band, Jazzhaus Swing Band, Lawrence City Band, Olathe Civic Band, Handful of Stars Band and New Horizons Band.He married Elizabeth June Griesa on Dec. 4, 1940. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include two sons, Scott A. and wife Vickie, and David E., both of Lawrence; a daughter, Joy Jerrick Pattin and husband Marty, Lawrence; seven grandchildren, Lori, Lisa, Nichole, Cassie and Tanner Weatherwax, and Jessica and Jill Jerrick; a great-granddaughter, Kendall Feurt; and six stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, John T., in 1949, and William S., in 1960; and two sisters, Jane Ann Watson and Mary Klobuchar.Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The casket will remain closed.The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home.Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.