August 6, 1934 – September 10, 2026
John Ackers, 92, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away on September 10, 2026. He was born on August 6, 1934, in Rainhill, Lancashire, England.
John was united in marriage to Kathryn Frick Fisher on August 6, 1984.
After completing schooling at Preston Grammar School, he enrolled at a University in Aberystwyth, Wales. One year later, he then joined the British Air Force and was stationed in Germany post WWII, in charge of a motor/vehicle pool.
His appreciation of living abroad in the Frankfurt Wiesbaden area of Germany for 20 years was enhanced by representing a manufacturing company for winding cables throughout Europe.
He also worked as a tour manager in Europe, sharing his love of history, local lore and knowledge about the numerous countries visited, as well as food recommendations!
He came to the United States in the late 1970’s and worked for Rural Route Tours, a group tour operator that sent farmers and/or horticulture enthusiasts to travel the world. He did all the research on destinations, accommodations, transportation, etc.
In addition, he wrote the descriptive itinerary to promote the tour. His facility of loving words, using them in beautiful descriptive narratives were a feature of the promotion. He continued to lead tours throughout the world, and was conversant in German, French and English as well as a smattering of Italian, Russian and Spanish.
He remained a true “Blue”, a supporter of Everton Football Club in the English Premiership. He missed England but visited as much as possible. His remains will return to England in the future.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Lillian (Beatie) Ackers; his sister, Sheila Balmer; and stepson, Richard Fisher.
Surviving John is his loving wife, Kathryn; Nephew Paul (Catherine) Balmer, nieces and nephew Lucy, Hannah, Alice and Thomas of Eccleston, England; Stepson, Eric (Xochitl) Fisher and was affectionately known as granddad “Opa” to Lanai and Xadric of Puebla, Mexico; Bonus family: daughter-in-law, Pi-Ying “Jennifer” Fan of Oakland, CA; sister-in-law, Janet (John) Shellenberger of Houston, TX; nephew Jeffry (Jennifer) Shellenberger of Escondido, CA, niece Jamie Shellenberger of Copenhagen, Denmark; brother-in-law, Jack (Linda) Frick of Topeka, KS; nephew, Chad Fick of Topeka, KS; nieces, Julie (Neal) Lintecum of Lawrence, Kansas, Lisa (Peter) Bockelman of Arlington, VA, Darcy (Lindsey) Stewart of Prairie Village, KS, and many friends throughout the world.
A friend, also from the north of England, described him like a ‘grumpy professor’, to which nephew Paul added, “but one you liked!” Remember him with a smile on your face and a salute with your favorite beverage!
Obituary published by Charter Funerals.
