John Mangold

John J. Mangold, 88, a long time resident of Independence, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO. where he had been a resident since August of 2007. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 am, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Committal services with full Military Honors will be at 2 pm, Friday at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Stockton, KS. Visitation will be 6-8 pm, Wed. at Carson-Speaks Chapel where the Rosary will be said at 5:30 pm.
John was born July 24, 1920 in Kansas City, MO. and graduated from De La Salle Military Academy in 1937. Immediately after graduation, John joined the Army and was assigned to F Troop of the 2nd Cavalry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. While at Fort Riley, he also served with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment as a mechanic. After three years of enlisted service, John attended the Officers Training Academy at Fort Riley and subsequently received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
It was while he was stationed at Fort Riley that he first met his wife of 55 years, Dolores M. Tipton/Mangold who was also stationed at Fort Riley as an Army Nurse.
John transferred to the 101st Airborne Division and attended parachute training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After graduation from jump school, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant and was shipped over seas where he participated in the Normandy Invasion, and numerous other conflicts with both the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 101st and the 325th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Divisions.
After the war ended, John and Dolores both returned home from overseas, were reunited and were subsequently married on February 6, 1946.
Upon his discharge from the regular Army in 1950, John accepted a full time position as a Chief Warrant Officer with the Missouri Army National Guard and moved his family to Independence. He rose to the rank of CWO-4 and retired in 1980 after thirty-five years of distinguished service to his country.
John was a long time member of the Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, a life time member of both The American Legion Post 21 and The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1000, a past Commander of The American Legion Post 21, a lifetime member of the 101st Airborne Division Association and a life time member of The Crossed Sabers Association.
John’s strong commitment to duty, service and country has inspired many of his descendents to follow in his footsteps and serve in the military. He was an avid golfer in his younger days and loved old movies, gun collecting and tinkering with electronics. He and his wife Dolores shared a strong belief in the Catholic faith.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Barr and Nellie Lawhorn, his wife of 55 years, Dolores; sons Philip, John and Timothy. Survivors include children Robert Mangold, Theresa Mangold, Rita Mangold and Abbey Amador. A brother, Hugh Barr of California, a sister Caroline Cross of Texas, 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.