John L. Firl

John Leon Firl, 76, of Kansas City passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at his home. He was born in Red Wing, Minnesota on Oct. 11, 1948, to Max Richard and Henrietta Louise Diercks Firl, the 12th of 13 children. A graduate of Central High School in Red Wing, John was proud of his Minnesota roots on the family farm near Hay Creek. He later earned degrees in atmospheric science from the University of Washington and electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota. 

In 1976, John was united in marriage to Kathleen Watts Newberry in Auburn, Washington. While this union ended in divorce, their family now includes five children and six grandchildren.

John was incredibly intelligent and hardworking. He served as an electrical and later software engineer for Boeing, Honeywell and McKesson. John was especially proud of his work with aircraft cockpit instrumentation and healthcare software. His work meant the family lived in Seattle, then Albuquerque. In 1992, they moved to Kathy’s family farm in Branson, Missouri, and John was able to fully indulge his love of gardening, also extending this to a successful lawn care business. Even after a move to Rochester, Minnesota in 2015, he made the most of his yard with potted tomato plants galore. In 2022, he moved to Kansas City to be closer to his son.

John is survived by three sons and two daughters: Aaron & Summer Newberry of Suwanee, Georgia; Bethany Newberry of Florida; Zachary Firl & Becky Brown of Leawood, Kansas; Vanessa & Nik Domann of Springfield, Missouri; and Grant & Julia Firl of Leverett, Massachusetts. He’s also survived by six grandchildren: Brentan & Abrian Newberry; Karly & Amelia Domann; and Wesley & Evelyn Firl. Also surviving are siblings Kenneth Firl, Marlene Moosmann, Rodney Firl, Dale Firl, Mary Olson, Marlys Kahl and Dean Firl.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Donald, Alvin, Leslie, Duane and baby Marie Grace Firl.

Funeral services for John Firl will be held Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing, Minnesota. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Red Wing.