John Morris Kirgis, 95, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, December 05, 2017, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

John was born on January 25, 1922, in Beloit, Kansas, the son of Frank John and Pansy I. (Green) Kirgis.  He grew up in Beloit and graduated from Beloit High School in the class of 1939.  After high school he attended Kansas State University for a while but his college education was interrupted with the start of World War II.  John wanting to serve his country joined the Army Air Corp.  After the war, he met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Rosalie DePoy on December 8, 1946 in Denver, Colorado.  From this union they were blessed with 6 children; Tom, Nancy, Beverly, Cindy, Sheri and Judith.  He worked as a quality control representative for the United States Department of Defense.  After 48 years of marriage, Rosalie preceded John in death on January 04, 1995.  John was fortunate to find love a second time when he met Ann Potter, and they have been longtime companions for the last 20 years.  He and Ann attended Otterbein United Methodist Church and John was a member of the Disabled American Veterans group.  He enjoyed fishing, dancing, reading and playing the stock market.  He also enjoyed watching football, baseball, basketball and especially enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas University Basketball.

Surviving family include his son Tom Kirgis of Woodston, Kansas; daughters Beverly McGuire (Gary) of Red Oak, Texas, Cindy Leslie (Howard) of Alvarado, Texas and Judith Yates (John) of San Marcus, Texas; 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and longtime companion Ann Potter of Russell, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rosalie, daughters Nancy Lee Monday and Sheri Rodgers; brothers Billy, Robert & Kenneth Kirgis and sister Virginia E. Bean.

A celebration of John's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, December 09, 2017, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating and the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites .  A Graveside Service will follow at 2 P.M. Saturday afternoon at the Prairie Grove Cemetery in Cawker City, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Friday, December 08, 2017, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening.  Memorials may be given to the Russell Sr. Center or the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas is in charge of these arrangements.