John was born in Utica, New York on July 7, 1939 to mother, Irene Schwenk Rader and father, Le Roy Arthur Rader. John and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas, when his father took a job at The Boeing Aircraft Company. His mother worked as a registered nurse at the local Veterans Administration Hospital. John graduated from Wichita East High School where he was a star player on the football team. He attended and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology.
John then joined the Air Force. He earned the rank of Major while working on squadron satellite communications. John’s last station assignment was at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. During his service in the Air Force, John married Nancy Greig and had two children, Phillip and Valerie. He settled in the Kansas City area after his retirement from the Air Force.
John continued to be a devoted father after he and his wife divorced and was very proud of both of his children. John attended Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Harrisonville, MO, where he served on the altar guild and the vestry. John also loved animals, particularly cats, and took care of multiple homeless cats.
John is survived by his daughter, Valerie Rader; sister-in-law, Barbara York Rader; brother-in-law, Rick Franke; nieces: Tracy Criddle (Joel), Terri Fisher (Rex), Kimberly Burks; nephew-in-law, Steven Winkler; four great-nieces; and one great-great-niece. John is preceded in death by his son, Phillip Craig Rader; mother, Irene Schwenk Rader; father, Le Roy Arthur Rader; sisters, Millicent Rader Harris and Carolyn Rader Franke; brother, Le Roy Richard Rader; brother-in-law, Robert Harris; niece, Heather Harris Winkler; and nephew-in-law, Roy Burks.
