John Fixsen

John David Fixsen was born January 20, 1958 to Merle and Louise (Tagtmeyer) Fixsen of Goodland, Kansas. He left this world on October 8, 2020, at home, with his wife Wanda by his side, after a 10-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer.

Growing up John was a smart kid who prided himself on getting good grades but always found ways to be ornery in the process. From getting a whole extra hour of sleep his entire senior year by sneaking into band because he knew his teacher took roll as students LEFT class to writing all of his notes backwards. John also had a love for animals starting at a young age, especially dogs, he was partial to beagles and basset hounds. The love of camping and fishing was instilled in young John as well since his parents spent their summer vacations taking him camping and fishing in many lovely places in the U.S. He was introduced to bowling at an early age by his mother, who also enjoyed the sport. He did some bouts in vocational schools at Garden City JUCO and Goodland NW Kansas Vo-Tech before working at his cousin’s shop, Fixsen TV and Appliance repair shop, also in Goodland.

John had perfected the art of sarcasm, almost to a fault. When he first met his wife, Wanda, he convinced her he had a condition called “striped-belly disease”, (which was later determined to be a striped tank top under the sweater he was wearing). He may have gotten that first date out of pity, but he must have done something right. These jokes and pranks continued all throughout their marriage of 41 years, much to the expense of Wanda’s nerves, but they were always able to laugh at his jokes together, which lead to his coined self-description of being 16 going on 60. John and Wanda were wed on December 2, 1978 and made their first home in Goodland, Kansas. In 1982, when Wanda was pregnant with their first child, the couple moved back to Wanda’s hometown of Sharon Springs to take over her parent’s farm.

John spent his adult life being a husband and father, while running the farm and ranch. He never knew the definition of sitting still, if he got a break from farming you could find him doing odd jobs like helping Floyd’s Refrigeration & A/C install and/or fix furnaces and air conditioning units, or processing grain samples or beans as a Kansas Feed and Grain Inspector. For entertainment, John loved bowling and getting away to do some fly fishing in the mountains of Colorado. As if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, John opened his own Gun and Ammunition shop, Rose Creek Arms in 2013.

John was also an avid reader, had a wonderful singing voice and even had some artistic talents (his children can attest that his Mickey Mouse pancakes tasted better than any other pancakes in the world).

John joins his parents, Merle and Louise, in the glorious afterlife. His memory will be carried forth by his dearest loved ones, including his wife of 41 years, Wanda Fixsen, their three daughters, Sarah Fixsen-Ziegler (Kem Matthews), Lindsay Hartman (Jarrod Hartman) and Ellen Fixsen, six grandchildren, Marissa, Ethan and Sophie Ziegler and Nicholas, Oliver and Bristol Hartman and his sister Delores (Alvin) Depe along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

John didn’t know a stranger, he was funny, smart and could talk to anyone about anything. We know he touched so many individual’s lives and he will be missed so deeply by more people than anyone could ever count. His family is grateful for all of the love and support during his diagnosis and battle with cancer, especially from the community they have called home, Sharon Springs, Kansas. We have appreciated the strength and grace others have lent to us when our own has faltered. In memory of John we hope you all crack open and enjoy a nice frosty Shiner Bock or other (adult) beverage of your choice.