Jean F Gwaltney

Jean F Gwaltney, 95, passed away August 15, 2018 at Presbyterian Manor. He was born on February 18, 1923 in Chautauqua, KS, son of John M. and Eliza Ann (Files) Gwaltney. He graduated from Sedan High School, Sedan, KS in 1940 and Tri-State College, Angola, IN in 1949. In World War II, he served in the Merchant Marines and then in the Navy on the destroyer USS Chauncey (DD-667) in the Pacific. He was a Civil Engineer and worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for 37 years, retiring in 1988 as squad leader in Road Design but continued working part-time until 2001. Jean worked for Howard, Needles, Tammen, and Bergendorf (HNTB) in Kansas City, MO from May 1952 to February 1954.

Almost 65 years ago, Jean married Vesta Bush on October 18, 1953 at her parents' (Hartley & Vella Bush) farm home in northern Lyon County, KS. In March of 1955, Jean and Vesta joined Countryside United Methodist Church and were active in many activities, functions, and duties within the church.

One of Jean's passions was photography. He enjoyed taking pictures at weddings, church and scouting events, vacations, and developed and printed annual family Christmas cards. For the 5th anniversary of Countryside Church, Jean helped to create and present "A Church Is Born", a slideshow detailing the history of the church, which he continued to update for many years.

Jean and Vesta enjoyed genealogy and compiled family history books for both of their families. They were active in their children's scouting and athletic activities and also attended many of his naval reunions for the Destroyer Squadron 48. They enjoyed camping since 1957, traveling to all the contiguous 48 states, with the Coachmen International and National United Methodist Campers. They also took an inside passage cruise to Alaska as well as a cruise throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

He is survived by his wife, Vesta; sons: Darrell (Tami) and Ron (Linda) of Topeka, Ernie (Marti) of Silverdale, WA, and Marlin (Kenna) of Augusta, KS; daughter Marlys of Wichita; grandsons: Jason, Wyett, Walker, Michael (Kelli), Matthew, and Justin; granddaughter Amy; step-grandchildren: Aryk (Hilary) Lukens, Apryl (Antoni) Hill, Holland (Scott) Ensle, and Houston Cahoon; and step-great grandchildren: Mykel, Mykena, Caleb, Tre, Kaitlyn, Antoni II, Eli, Maddison, and Connor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Brian; sisters: Pauline "Polly" (Bill) Jackson and Eula Faye Gwaltney; brother John (Thelma); and nephew Gary Jackson.

The family will greet friends during a visitation on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS. Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, KS. Burial will be at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in northern Lyon County, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Countryside United Methodist Church. To leave a message for the family visit www.dovetopeka.com