John was born to John Edward Sullivan and Madeline Delia (Heydon) Sullivan on July 6, 1938 in Kansas City, MO. John lived in Sugar Creek, Independence and Kansas City, MO.
An accomplished athlete, John especially enjoyed football, baseball, track and later in life, frequent rounds of golf on courses throughout the United States and in Kansas City. He played football at Northeast High School and at the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, MO. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering at Rolla and upon graduation began a twenty-five year, career at Armco Steel in Kansas City, MO. He worked in several capacities for the Union Wire Rope division which included supervisor of technical services for Union Wire Rope products; manager for the departments of distribution; high carbon wire sales; marketing; and quality, engineering and products. John also spent two years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as branch manager for Union Wire Rope.
Upon retiring from Armco, John worked for the next eighteen years in jobs that included manager of distribution for Wire Rope Corporation of America in St. Joseph, MO, general manager for Newco Manufacturing, a wire rope fittings company in Kansas City, MO and manager of rigging products for Loos and Co., Naples, FL.
John's work with cable and wire rope extended throughout the United States, Canada and South America. He frequently shared stories about all of the good friends he came to know and respect in the mining industry, on offshore oil rigs, in sales and in numerous businesses associated with wire products.
John loved to entertain at home and socialize around Kansas City. He was a great cook, often stirring up new recipes from his large collection of cookbooks. He and his wife, Cela, enjoyed many good times with friends and family, hosting holiday parties, enjoying restaurants and small, live music venues.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Sean Vincent Sullivan and his brother, Michael Edward Sullivan. He is survived by his wife, Cela of 39 years, his brother James Patrick (Monica), his son John Sullivan (Judy), his daughter Andrea Sullivan (Dan) and his grandchildren, Kylie, John and Jenna. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Marian Erwin (Russ), nephews, PJ Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Daniel Sullivan, Christopher Sullivan and Bradley Erwin and nieces, Robin Williams and Ashton Tidemann and several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. A rosary with Fr. Justin Hoye officiating will follow at 11:00 a.m. Private committal will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Nevada.
