John Henry Hotz

John Henry Hotz passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Ranch House in Garden City, Kansas at the age of 93.

John Henry Hotz was born on July 12, 1931 in Glendale, Kansas to Ruth Kuncle and James Hotz. James Hotz was a farmer who borrowed money needed to purchase land in the early 1930's. That led to one of John's formative experiences which occurred when the bank foreclosed on the mortgage and men in suits evicted the family from the only home John had ever known. Through much of John's early life the family was very poor and often relied upon the charity of family and friends. In later life, while John occasionally borrowed money, he was careful not to encumber the properties he purchased with a mortgage. It also gave John a strong work ethic and a lifelong appreciation for the importance of saving. 

John graduated from Tescott High School in North Central Kansas in 1949. He initially worked as a farmhand in Smithville, Missouri for room and board and a few dollars per month. In 1951, during the Korean war he enlisted in the Air Force with two of his best friends from High School. John was originally assigned to radio operator school, but as anyone who has ever stood next to him in church would know, he was somewhat tone deaf and he was unable to hear the difference between the dots and dashes used in Morse code. John was then trained as an airplane mechanic. After he was discharged from the Air Force, he used the benefits under the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Kansas.

While attending the University of Kansas John met Ann Terflinger, the love of his life, and they were married on October 4th, 1958, while John was still in law school. John graduated from law school in 1960 and went to work for the U.S. Treasury Department as an estate tax examiner in Wichita, where he learned how to work until his retirement in 1986. One of the work duties that John greatly enjoyed was attending estate auctions throughout Western Kansas. John's interest in real estate ultimately led to his hobby of buying and remodeling houses in Garden City. He also enjoyed time with his granddaughters, gardening, hunting, and playing cards (especially hearts and pinochle). He was also a very good chess player. 

He belonged to the First United Methodist Church of Garden City and was active for many years in the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. In the community he served on the Garden City Housing Board for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Betty Koehn and Anna Kingsley, two brothers, Donald Hotz and George Hotz, his son-in-law Robert Schul and his beloved daughter Dr. Susan Hotz-Sheik. 

He is survived by his wife Ann of 66 years; his son Joe and daughter-in- law Bonnie and their daughters Maya and Sierra; his daughter Teresa Schul as well as Susan's daughters Heidi and Zoey Sheik.

A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Garden City, on September 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The burial will be at the McCune Cemetery, McCune KS. 

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to contribute to either The First United Methodist Church of Garden City. In care of Robson Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St., Garden City, Kansas 67846 or online at the following link, https://www.fumcgc.com/give/. 

Robson Funeral Home of Garden City is overseeing the arrangements.