Juan "John" G. Jaramillo

Juan “John” G. Jaramillo, age 93, of Topeka, KS, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday evening, July 18, 2024, in Topeka, KS.

John was born the son of Pedro M. and Santo (Gonzalez) Jaramillo on April 9, 1931, in Topeka, KS. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1949. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and completed basic training course at FT Chaffe, Arkansas; then stationed at Ft Benning, GA where he attended “jump school and became a paratrooper with 508th Airborne BCT. He served with pride. While serving, John’s military occupation specialty (M.O.S.) was entertainment for the troops as a boxer. John was honorably discharged in 1954, and became a professional boxer where he had a few bouts including one in St. Louis, MO before “hanging up the gloves”. Once he returned from the Army, John married his beloved Guadalupe “Lupe” Chavez on February 27, 1954, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. Together, they raised their family of eight and shared 70 years of a wonderful and dedicated loving marriage.

John was one of the first Mexican-Americans to join the U.S. Postal Service in Topeka, KS as a “letter carrier”. It was a career that John held high, and he forged a better way of life for fellow letter carriers, as he was an active member of the Letter Carriers Union, serving as Union Steward. In his younger years, John was a well-known boxer in the community and was a Golden Glove Champion. He enjoyed teaching his family the art of boxing and sharing his knowledge to those interested.

John was a life-long member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, serving in many different capacities and organizations with the parish. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus Council 11777 here at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, he was also the captain of the Perpetual Adoration team for almost 20 years. John and his wife Lupe lead bible study groups at their home for many years, he was a long time Fiesta Volunteer, a devoted member and Leader with the 3rd Order of Augustinian Recollects as well and an active member of the Cursillo Movement and past president of the Topeka Serra Club. Needless to say, John was devoted to his Catholic faith and his enjoyed serving his parish church throughout his life.

John’s greatest joy was his family. You can find him spending time at the dinner table, sharing stories about boxing, sharing memories of his military experiences as a paratrooper but most of all discussing his faith, values and spirituality with others. He encouraged his family to have faith and believe in God to never stop believing in the truth and as a young father he expressed to his family to, be honest and sincere and “no matter what your career you choose just be the best you can be” 

Never one to sit idle, John worked many part-time jobs to support his family and his skills in carpentry allowed him to enhance and enlarge the family home to accommodate his growing family. In his older years, he enjoyed watching various sitcoms and westerns movies. John was always one with his wife Lupe, he could never leave her side, he was proud of the family he and Lupe created, and when it came time for him to say goodbye, John has passed into the arms of God, surrounded by his family cherished in love forever.

Survivors include his beloved wife of the home, Lupe Jaramillo; sons, Fr. Peter Jaramillo S.S.A., Anthony “Tony” Jaramillo, Daniel Jaramillo, John (Holly) Jaramillo, and Tom Jaramillo; as well as one daughter, Mary (Steve) Loya. Other survivors include 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; a brother, Joe G. Jaramillo; sister, Maria Delores Ortiz; and a loving extended family.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Mark and Frank Jaramillo; and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Jaramillo.

John will lie in state from 4-7:00 P.M., with 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Chalice Service at 6:45 p.m. and Rosary by Fr. Peter Jaramillo at 7:00 P.M., on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

For those unable to attend the evening wake, a visitation will be held on from 9-10:00 A.M., on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., at the church. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in John’s memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Contributions can be mailed or left with the church.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.