John William Scanlan

Mass of Christian Burial for John William Scanlan, 86, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
He died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born April 30, 1925, in St. Louis, the son of Francis Daily and Opal Holmes Scanlan.
Mr. Scanlan graduated from Christian Brothers Military High School in St. Louis. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II where he served three years as a nose-gunner. flying in the B-24’s”Chute the Works.” His service in Pacific Theater started at Kwajalein and ended in Okinawa. After the war, he attended Kansas University where he received his Bachelor of Science in architecture in 1950.
Mr. Scanlan was the president and co-owner of Kansas Construction Co., specializing in commercial and industrial buildings from 1956 to 1988. He was responsible for many of the landmarks across KU, Lawrence and throughout the state.
Mr. Scanlan was a member of the Lawrence Housing Authority and the co-chairman of Kansas State Construction Health, Welfare and Pension Funds. He was also a member of Kansas State Construction Laborers and Carpenters Apprenticeship Fund; American Arbitration Association; Kansas Public Service Company Advisory Board; St. John’s Catholic Church and served on future planning committee; Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors for two terms; a member of the board of directors at Lawrence National Bank; KU Williams Educational Fund; KU Roundball Club; KU Quarterback Club; and a founding member of the Lawrence Noon Cosmopolitan Club and was a former president. He received the Cosmopolitan Distinguished Service Award in 1964 and 1976. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1372, B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge, member and former president of Ballard Community Center Committee, and member of the Girl’s Achievement Board. Mr. Scanlan also served two terms for Human Resources Committee for the city of Lawrence, board of directors for United Way, and was a former president of Associated General Contractors of Kansas Inc. and an honorary member of the board of firectors. He was active in land acquisition for the local Lawrence Habitat for Humanity organization.
He married Helen Hebor on Nov. 15, 1954, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She survives of Lawrence.
Other survivors include three sons, John William Scanlan II and wife Amy, Kansas City, Kan., Michael Scanlan and Sharon Klender, Leawood, and William Scanlan and wife Elizabeth, Denver; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a visitation to follow at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
The family suggests memorials to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Habitat for Humanity, or to the American Diabetes Association, sent in care of the mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com.