John Redfern

John Richard Redfern, 74, of Coffeyville, KS, passed away on Friday, February 13th, 2015. He was born to Farley and Alma Maggard Redfern on June 26th, 1940, in Kansas City, MO.

John grew up in Shawnee Mission, KS. He graduated from Shawnee Mission High School, where as a senior in 1958 he marched in the Rose Bowl Parade. He graduated from Wichita State University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He attended graduate school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and continued to pursue educational opportunities throughout his life.

He worked as a music educator for 44 years in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He retired from the Caney Valley School District after 24 years of service. He continued to teach at both Holy Name Catholic School and the South Coffeyville School district, as well as giving private music lessons. Upon retirement, he also spent much of his time as an employee of the Ford-Wulf Bruns Funeral Home. He and his son also worked many summers at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

John Married Judith in 1967 in St. Joseph, Missouri. They have been happily married for 47 years. From cruises around the world, to driving the four corners of the Continental United States, to "creeking" and boating through the hills of the Ozarks, golfing and camping with loved ones in Wisconsin and Colorado, Zydeco Breakfasts in Cajun Country, and scaling the heights of Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia and Mt. Sunflower, KS, John and Judith understood the value of creating memories and adventure. The lives of their closest of loved ones, Judith's parents Bill and Rose Soper, and her seven siblings and their families, have been immeasurably enriched by this lifetime of experiences shared.

Anyone who has spent five minutes with him knew he was a man of faith and character. John was a member of Tyro Christian Church, Bartlesville Symphony, City bands of Coffeyville and Independence, the Gideons, Tulsa Praise Orchestra, and Ye Big Ole Dance Band. John loved the Joy Group (Senior Citizens) of Tyro Christian Church, and valued the many friendships he cultivated with them. He was previously choir director for the Caney Christain Church, Tyro Christian Church, the First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville, and the First Christian Church of Coffeyville. He played in the Saint Joseph Symphony, and Kansas City Youth Symphony. He was a member of the Kansas Music Educator's Association. He was a member of the Southeast Kansas Trombone Association, had also been involved with the Jaycees, Kiwanas, and Lions Club. He participated in many community activities, including Neewollah plays, Dalton Defender Days, and Coffeyville Community College theater productions. He was an active volunteer all of his life. He coached many of his son's little league soccer and basketball teams, judged debate tournaments, was heavily involved in Field Kindley High School's Marching Band program. He volunteered his time helping the elderly and infirmed, delivering meals on wheels, and played his trombone and sang for the residents of many assisted living communities and nursing homes. In the last four years he won first place in spelling bees and vocal competitions at the Interstate Fair and Rodeo. He enjoyed traveling, playing golf, telling jokes, and was a lifelong Kansas City Chief's fan.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, and his son William Farley Redfern. He is survived by his wife Judith of the home, his son John Richard Redfern II of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, John's partner Bee Pawson of South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and grandchildren Maia, Aydin, Kalista, and expected twins, and former daughter in law Sarah Redfern, of Washington.

Visitation will be held at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel in Coffeyville, from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17th, 2015, and a celebration of his life will be held at Tyro Christian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the 18th of February, 2015.

The Family requests memorial donations be made to The Bartlesville Symphony, the Music Department of Tyro Christian Church, and Harry Hynes Hospice.

John and his family wish to express special thanks to Dr. Allen Gillis and the staff of Harry Hynes Hospice.

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