John "Jack" Gessler

John “Jack” Gessler—loving and dedicated Son, Brother, beloved Husband, devoted Father, and cherished, fun‑loving Grandfather—passed away on July 5, 2026, after a courageous battle with non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Gentle‑hearted, joyful, and rooted deeply in his Catholic faith, Jack lived a life marked by love, service, and quiet strength. Born on September 6, 1939, in Wichita, Kansas, Jack’s 86 years were filled with devotion to family, steadfast faith, and a lifelong commitment to helping others.

Jack spent his childhood in Wichita, surrounded by his loving family, where faith, curiosity, and a strong work ethic shaped his earliest years. He attended and graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, where his inquisitive mind and kind spirit first began to shine. Drawn to science and inspired by a desire to help others, Jack followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in pharmacy. He continued his education at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, before earning his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC). It was at UMKC that he met the love of his life, Dorothy Jo Foote, whose warmth and partnership became the foundation of his adult life. Their bond blossomed quickly, and they wed on February 20, 1965, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea Catholic Church—a place that would remain significant to their family through the years.

Shortly after their marriage, Jack and Dorothy made their home in Wichita, where Jack joined the family‑owned Gessler Drug Stores and began building the reputation that would define his career. During these years, Jack especially cherished holiday trips to Dorothy’s family farm in Bucyrus, Kansas, where he worked in the fields and the shop alongside his brothers‑in‑law, Jim and Bob Foote. In the mid‑1970s, the family relocated to Kansas City and eventually settled in Overland Park, Kansas. There, Jack founded Drug Emporium before becoming a beloved neighborhood pharmacist. Over the decades, Jack became known not only for his expertise, but for the way he treated every person with dignity and had a gift for putting people at ease. Customers trusted him with their worries, often seeking him out not just for prescriptions but for the calm reassurance and professionalism he offered so naturally. Many loved coming to his store simply to talk with him, knowing they would be met with patience, kindness, and genuine care. His diligence, warmth, and steady presence marked his more than 50‑year career as a pharmacist, during which he served countless families with gentleness, integrity, and unwavering dedication.

After retiring, Jack and Dorothy continued their life in Overland Park before eventually downsizing into a retirement community in Olathe, Kansas. As Dorothy’s health declined, Jack remained devoted to her, faithfully calling her and visiting her with food, comfort, and companionship. His love for her was steady and unwavering, a quiet testament to the depth of their bond.

Jack was an enthusiastic cook, famed among family and friends for his imaginative salads and homemade dressings, forever experimenting with new flavors and sharing his latest creation at the table. He especially loved cooking alongside his grandchildren, teaching them kitchen skills and enjoying time together while watching his favorite cooking shows, particularly those featuring Bobby Flay. Jack was also a knowledgeable wine connoisseur, savoring both the craft and the joy of sharing a good bottle with family.

His voice was often heard singing—whether in the family home or as a dedicated choir member at church—where he found joy, fellowship, and a deep sense of purpose in music. For 26 years, Jack was a devoted parishioner at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park and a proud member of the Ascension Choir. He loved Gregorian chant and continued singing along even after he could no longer participate physically, faithfully watching the choir and joining in as best he could.

Intellectually curious throughout his life, Jack loved to read philosophy and theology, especially the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Merton, engaging thoughtfully with questions of meaning and faith. His youthful love of travel never faded; he often reminisced about childhood trips to Durango and the wonder he felt watching the trains. Jack also enjoyed gardening throughout his life, cultivating elaborate gardens and landscaping with care and creativity. He even helped his mother‑in‑law maintain her gardens as she aged, tending them with the same gentleness he offered to everyone he loved. In his later years, Jack became a keen chess player, relishing the quiet challenge and strategy of each match. Retirement gave him the space to savor these pursuits, each one reflecting the creativity, curiosity, devotion, and warmth that defined him.

Throughout his life, family was Jack’s greatest pride and the center of his world. He was most himself when gathered with Dorothy, their children, and grandchildren—sharing stories, offering a song, or passing around a new recipe he was eager for everyone to try. Jack especially loved Christmas: the preparations, the holiday music, the choir performances, the family gatherings, the food, and above all the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth and the gift it represents. The season brought together everything he cherished—faith, family, and joyful celebration—and he embraced it with childlike wonder year after year. As a father, Jack taught his children to work hard, keep the faith, serve others, and place family just below God. Jack poured his heart into every role he held: devoted husband, steady and loving father, and a grandfather whose warmth and curiosity made each child feel uniquely seen.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Dorothy Gessler; their sons, John R. Gessler (and his wife Michelle) and Chris Gessler; daughters, Kala Parks and Carrie Gessler; grandchildren, Haley, Patrick, Charles, Kristina, and Katie; and great‑granddaughter Raelynn. Jack is also survived by siblings James (Pam), William (Susan), Robert, and Geraldine Krumsick‑Stodghill (Rob), and sister‑in‑law Jan Gessler. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Renee Alice Gessler, and siblings Donald Gessler, Mary Gessler, Christine Ann “Tina” Gessler, Kevin Krumsick, and Beverly Gessler. Jack’s legacy lives on in the family he cherished—each gathering, each melody, and each shared memory carrying forward the love, faith, and kindness he embodied.

Jack’s legacy is one of love, faith, and steadfast dedication to others. His life was defined not only by the work he accomplished, but by the kindness he offered so freely and the joy he brought into every room he entered. He lived with a gentle heart, a curious mind, and a spirit rooted deeply in faith, touching countless lives through simple acts of compassion and quiet strength. Though he will be deeply missed, the values he lived—curiosity, compassion, devotion to family, and unwavering faith—continue in those who knew and loved him. Jack leaves behind a lifetime of moments that will be cherished forever, and a legacy that will endure in the hearts of his family and all who were blessed to share in his life.

Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 am, Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea Catholic Church, 22779 Metcalf Road, Bucyrus, KS 66013. Visitation will follow from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am. Burial will take place following the mass at the Holy Rosary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, 88 Pine St, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10005.

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