John David Raffurty was born on July 10, 1942 at Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He departed this life on November 4, 2017 at Pleasant Hill Health Care and Rehabilitation Center at 75 years and 4 months. He was the eldest son of 6 children to James A and Dorothy M (Moore) Raffurty. Memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. A visitation will be from 10:00-11:00.


John grew up south of Pleasant Hill, on the Raffurty family farm until the family moved into town in 1969 at 906 Cedar. As a young child, John was baptized in the Pleasant Hill Methodist church where he was a lifelong member. John attended a rural school near the family farm and then attended Pleasant Hill schools where he graduated in 1961. He then served in the United States Navy for a short time. After coming home from the Navy, John worked with his brother, Bill Raffurty, mowing lawns around town. He also worked at Gray's Hardware in downtown Pleasant Hill for many years. He also helped good friend Willis Rhor lay carpet and linoleum all over the Kansas City metro area. In 2009, after the passing of his mother, Dorothy, he relied on his best friend John Wilmoth and cousin Donieta Fasl to help him grocery shop and get to doctor appointments.

Many people will remember John for his devotion to his mother and riding his bike around town waving at everyone who went by. John enjoyed deer hunting and had a particular passion for trains, having learned much about their history over his lifetime. He was always fascinated with the Amtrak and Union Pacific trains that passed through town. Since John knew a lot about the old train lines that used to go through Pleasant Hill, he was considered an expert on the Train history of the town. Given his expertise and passion for Trains, he was invited to take part in the Pleasant Hill Railroad Days Parade.


He was preceded in death by his parents, baby sister Ruth Ann, and brother William "Bill" Raffurty and is survived by one brother, Howard "Butch" (Valerie) Raffurty of Harrisonville, two sisters, Jean Hudson, of Phoenix, Arizona, Mary (Terry) Roberts of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, one sister-in-law, Bonnie Raffurty, also of Pleasant Hill. Also, three nephews and two nieces survive him: Rodney Matlock of Casa Grande, Arizona, Clint (Amanda) Raffurty of Overland Park, Kansas, Sam Roberts of Overland Park, Kansas, Sherri Matlock of Miami Gardens, Florida, Andrea (Tyler) Engel of Mission, Kansas. In addition, three great nieces, one great nephew, one great great nephew, and many other relatives and friends survive him.