It is with sadness, that we announce the passing of John Mauk (Jr), M.D. John died suddenly of an aneurysm on All Saints Day, November 1, 2024. That seemed fitting, as John was certainly a saint and a faithful servant of the Lord.

John was born in Maryville, Missouri, on April 4, 1948, and grew up in Conway, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas with a double major in Chemistry and Math. In 1970, he was selected a "KU Hilltopper" because of his service both to the University and the city of Lawrence. John and Karol met in the Scholarship Hall system at KU and were married at Danforth Chapel on the KU Campus.

John received his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center and became a Family Practice physician. He initially served in the Indian Health Service, then Arizona Health Plan/Cigna, and finally in private practice in Glendale, AZ, and later Flagstaff, AZ.

Throughout his life, he was a true servant of God. He served as a counselor with high school youth, taught a popular adult Sunday School class, and was on the missions and prayer ministry committees at different points in his years in the church. He was truly the wind beneath Pastor Karol's wings, critiquing her sermons, supplying illustrations from his vast reading, and always standing ready to help where help was needed.

He had a great wry sense of humor and it often took people a while to catch onto it. If you missed his joke, he never revisited it, but just let it pass. He focused on trying to find ways to "stop for the one" who needed something to laugh about or a word of encouragement.

John was serious about his work as a physician, pouring over charts the night before he would see a patient so that he was up to speed on their history. Karol continued to learn about people who were his patients, as he was careful not to share information with her. John was on Arizona Walk to Emmaus (for the development of Christian leaders) #1 in 1985, and worked tirelessly in the early years to help get the movement established. He had the opportunity to serve as a Lay Director twice and was a member of Emmaus "Group Reunions" for decades.

John was an incorporating officer of FaithWorks, a short-term mission sending ministry that, at one time boasted 26 member churches in Northern Arizona. He did medical missions with the group in Tanzania, Honduras, and Mexico.

In his refired-retirement, John helped to lead World Vision's 6K Walk for Water in Peoria, AZ. The team raised enough money for more than 3 villages to have clean water. He developed a street ministry to the homeless, and weekly led a group from Spirit Song Church in Peoria in making thousands of lunches for the Kids Café program through St. Mary's Food Bank.

After moving to the Kansas City area in 2020, John soon joined Mission Southside to provide needed service to the working poor. He participated in Resurrection Church's "Matthew's Ministry" program for people with special needs. He had a broad range of interests and took time to visit people in one of the care facilities nearby through the Silver Link program at Resurrection. He also served on the Prayer Ministry team at Vineyard Community Church in Overland Park.

When recently asked what hobbies John had, he simply said, "I don't have any." Karol later pointed out that he needed to prepare his answer as he loved to play games, was an avid KU sports and Royals baseball fan, and was a life-long learner. Karol told him, "Your real hobby is serving!" He loved Jesus wholeheartedly. He loved to pray with and for people. His faith grew deeper with each passing year. He was an inspiration to many.

He is survived by his wife, Karol Brecheisen; his brother, Dennis (wife, Lynn) Mauk of Wichita, KS; niece, Brandi (husband, Milford) Stephenson, of Pearland, TX; nieces Callie (husband, Aaron)Wright and Caitlin (husband, Kris) Wyer of Wichita, KS, and their families; and the Brecheisen/Nokes family who loved him dearly.