"It ain't over til it's OVER!"
John served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.
John Charles Malicoat was born on June 13, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Owen and Kathrine (Boerchert) Malicoat. He graduated from Ruskin High School in 1964. In 1965 he joined the United States Army, where he served honorably as a medic with C Company, First Battalion, Second Brigade. In 1966 he married the love of his life, Elizabeth "Becky" Gurera. Their marriage lasted 59 years.
After his honorable discharge in 1969, John built a 30-year career with Consolidated Freightways. He was a proud member and longtime Union Steward with Teamsters Local 41, and he stayed active in the Teamster Retiree Club. His sons Michael and Mark followed him into the Teamsters in Kansas City. In retirement he worked in the maintenance department of the Blue Springs School District, where he enjoyed the students and never hesitated to share his faith. He also taught at Metropolitan Community College, helping students earn their Commercial Driver's Licenses, which he deeply loved.
John was a devout Catholic and attended Mass daily. His faith was the foundation of his life. Through the Cursillo Movement he had a profound encounter with Christ. He and Becky taught CCD for many years and were dedicated leaders in the Engaged Encounter marriage preparation program. He served his parish with the Men of Bellarmine, was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution, and gave his time to St. Vincent de Paul outreach.
John found joy in simple things. He tended his yard, cared for his many birdhouses (martins and bluebirds were his favorites), and planted flowers for Becky because he knew how much she loved them. Ice cream was his weakness, and he loved sharing treats with his children and grandchildren. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He assisted the teams' chaplain, his adopted son Father Richard Rocha, in serving Mass for both organizations, and attending three Super Bowls was a highlight of his life.
John passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, at age 80, at Lee's Summit Medical Center. His wife and children were with him. He is survived by Becky; their children Nancy (Ryan), Joe (Jo Marie), John (Nancy), Mary (Jeff), Michael (Tara) and Mark (Brenda); his brother Richard (Janice) Malicoat; his sister Shirley Mueller; and thirteen grandchildren.
He was a proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren: Victoria, Mackenzie, Tommy, Maddie, Corey, Elizabeth, John, Gracie, Holly, Ryan, Charlee, Elizabeth, and John; and a loving great-grandfather to Granger, Owen, Reid, Jack, and Charlotte. He also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Kathrine Malicoat; his brothers Owen and James (Jeannie) Malicoat; his sister Pat Thoeni (Vernon); his father-in-law Joseph Gurera; his mother-in-law Nancy Gurera; his brothers-in-law Carl and Anthony Gurera; and his nephew Mark Gurera and nieces, Veronica Martin, Elizabeth Gurera and Anne Gurera.
John’s life was defined by his unwavering faith, his love for his family, his service to his country and community, and his ability to make everyone he met feel welcome. His legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will live on in all who knew and loved him.
John Charles Malicoat was born on June 13, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Owen and Kathrine (Boerchert) Malicoat. He graduated from Ruskin High School in 1964. In 1965 he joined the United States Army, where he served honorably as a medic with C Company, First Battalion, Second Brigade. In 1966 he married the love of his life, Elizabeth "Becky" Gurera. Their marriage lasted 59 years.
After his honorable discharge in 1969, John built a 30-year career with Consolidated Freightways. He was a proud member and longtime Union Steward with Teamsters Local 41, and he stayed active in the Teamster Retiree Club. His sons Michael and Mark followed him into the Teamsters in Kansas City. In retirement he worked in the maintenance department of the Blue Springs School District, where he enjoyed the students and never hesitated to share his faith. He also taught at Metropolitan Community College, helping students earn their Commercial Driver's Licenses, which he deeply loved.
John was a devout Catholic and attended Mass daily. His faith was the foundation of his life. Through the Cursillo Movement he had a profound encounter with Christ. He and Becky taught CCD for many years and were dedicated leaders in the Engaged Encounter marriage preparation program. He served his parish with the Men of Bellarmine, was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution, and gave his time to St. Vincent de Paul outreach.
John found joy in simple things. He tended his yard, cared for his many birdhouses (martins and bluebirds were his favorites), and planted flowers for Becky because he knew how much she loved them. Ice cream was his weakness, and he loved sharing treats with his children and grandchildren. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He assisted the teams' chaplain, his adopted son Father Richard Rocha, in serving Mass for both organizations, and attending three Super Bowls was a highlight of his life.
John passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, at age 80, at Lee's Summit Medical Center. His wife and children were with him. He is survived by Becky; their children Nancy (Ryan), Joe (Jo Marie), John (Nancy), Mary (Jeff), Michael (Tara) and Mark (Brenda); his brother Richard (Janice) Malicoat; his sister Shirley Mueller; and thirteen grandchildren.
He was a proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren: Victoria, Mackenzie, Tommy, Maddie, Corey, Elizabeth, John, Gracie, Holly, Ryan, Charlee, Elizabeth, and John; and a loving great-grandfather to Granger, Owen, Reid, Jack, and Charlotte. He also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Kathrine Malicoat; his brothers Owen and James (Jeannie) Malicoat; his sister Pat Thoeni (Vernon); his father-in-law Joseph Gurera; his mother-in-law Nancy Gurera; his brothers-in-law Carl and Anthony Gurera; and his nephew Mark Gurera and nieces, Veronica Martin, Elizabeth Gurera and Anne Gurera.
John’s life was defined by his unwavering faith, his love for his family, his service to his country and community, and his ability to make everyone he met feel welcome. His legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will live on in all who knew and loved him.
From the original obituary.
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A memory of John
Some of my favorite memories of my Dad were when we would be outside playing volleyball or wiffle ball (because there were enough kids to have teams). Dad would break out into impersonating Jerry Lewis or some other crazy character and rolling up his pant legs and just cracking us up with jokes. He was so silly and fun. He had a temper but I mostly remember his humor and what a joker he was.
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