John P. McKean

Retired attorney John Paul McKean, 79, of Wichita passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. He was born at Wichita Hospital on September 27, 1944 to Harry Lee and Jo McKean. John was the youngest of three children. His mother thought that he was an angel. His sisters begged to differ.

John grew up in Wichita, and lived there most of his life. He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Hamilton Junior High and Wichita West High School, from which he graduated in 1962.

John was a Boy Scout. His claim to fame was meeting Richard Nixon at the Boy Scout Jamboree at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. John was disappointed with Nixon, the substitute speaker for an ill President Eisenhower.

After high school, John attended Wichita State University for one year, and then ran off with his buddy Pat Gates to join the US Army. After attending language school in Monterrey, California, John was stationed in Germany for three years. This sparked a lifelong love of travelling. He visited the majority of countries throughout Europe and almost all 50 states.

After he was discharged from the army, John travelled across Europe for several months before returning home to Kansas. He then completed his undergraduate degree in political science from WSU. Years later, he could still name all of the countries of Africa, even newly-formed nations. 

While attending the University of Kansas School of Law on the GI Bill, John met Karin Fleming. They were married in 1972. John and Karin had two children, Jennifer and John Andrew.

John combined his love of travel with his love of gambling by visiting Las Vegas countless times, usually with his nephew Russel. John and Russel were more than uncle and nephew – they were friends and partners in crime. Over the years they enjoyed each other’s company while cheering on the KC Chiefs.

In 1998 John and Susan Schroeder were married. Together they rescued three beloved and spoiled terriers – Bob, Maggie, and Oscar. John’s wish was to be buried with them and so it shall be.

Although John’s health declined over the last few years, he never lost his wonderful sense of humor and his easygoing nature. He will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have known him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Lee McKean and Jo McKean Elling, and his eldest sister, Mary McKean Trower, as well as his puppy dogs. He is survived by his loving wife Susan, daughter Jennifer (Harish) Dhanwantri and grandson Sanjay, son John Andrew, sister Peggy (Dave) Goehring, nephews Russel (Kerri)Trower, Jerry (Patty) Goehring, Rick (Lora) Goehring and nieces Kathy Trower Schmidt, Carla (Danny) Somers and countless, much-loved family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, at West Side United Methodist Church, 1313 West Lydia Street in Wichita. A gathering of friends and family will take place at Spears Restaurant, 4323 West Maple, after the memorial service. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, at Marion Cemetery in Marion, KS

Memorials have been established with:

West Side United Methodist Church

1313 W. Lydia

Wichita, KS  67213

Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice

313 S. Market St.

Wichita, KS  67202

Kansas Humane Society

3313 N. Hillside

Wichita, KS  67219

Union Rescue Mission

2800 N. Hillside

Wichita, KS  67219