John Arden Hill

John Arden Hill, 72, of Topeka, passed away peacefully at on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Midland Care Hospice in Topeka, Kansas.

John was born in Ventura, California on June 19, 1943. Early in his life, he moved with his mother to Eureka, Kansas and then to Topeka, Kansas where he began his education at Topeka Lutheran School. During his middle school years he moved to Princeton, Indiana to live with his maternal grandparents. After the tragic loss of his grandfather in a car accident, John enlisted in the Army at the age of 17. Following the completion of his training, he was stationed for three years in Germany. He returned to Topeka at the end of his three year enlistment and after a short time realized that civilian life was not for him. He re-enlisted and was stationed at Fort Riley as a part of the Big Red 1. Officially he was in the 1st Engineering Battalion, 1st Infantry Division as an Atomic Demolition Munitions Specialists. While stationed at Ft. Riley, he received his GED. Due to his security clearance and knowledge, he was not supposed to be deployed to Vietnam. However, in the government's continual attempt to show how inept it is, that is exactly where he ended up.

Four months and seven days into his deployment in Vietnam, on January 15, 1966, John was severely injured while disarming a land mine. He was shipped stateside for rehab at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. John was awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries sustained during combat. After a year-long, difficult and agonizing rehab stint that left him with a chronic, lifelong disability, he was honorably discharged and returned to Topeka.

While attending college at Washburn University in 1968, John met his wife of 47 years, Judy Layton. The couple married January 24, 1969 in St. Mary's, Kansas and together raised three children. John worked for a short time at Consumer Finance, National Guardian Life Insurance and the State of Kansas as a Veterans employment counselor. He then accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Labor where he dedicated 21 years to serving the Veterans of Kansas, retiring in 1995 as the State Director for Veterans Employment and Training. He was a life member and very active in the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) organization. He was the Kansas State Commander of the D.A.V. in 1978-79, and was named Kansas Veteran of the Year in 1984. John was the 15th District representative on the D.A.V. National Executive Committee from 1989-91. He was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) and the American Legion.

John spent his retirement years doting on his grandchildren. He enjoyed collecting and trading firearms and spending time at the Kaw Valley Gun Club. John spent countless hours on his back deck reading on his Kindle and 'supervising the golf course'.

A friend of the family commented after his passing that when John made up his mind to do something, he did it. Going to hospice was no different. He made the decision that it was time, and it was. He said he was taking the coward's way out by going to hospice and letting the end come. However, that is the furthest from the truth. He was a strong, courageous man who fought a difficult fight his entire life to overcome the painful injuries he received in Vietnam. There were many times that the family believed the end was coming and he would rally back and fight the fight. He was only at Midland Care Hospice for thirteen short hours. However, the entire family is thankful for the kind and compassionate care givers there that made the end comfortable and peaceful for him.

John is survived by his wife, Judy (Layton) Hill of Topeka; his son, Arden (A.J.); daughter-in-law, Jill, grandson, Evan; granddaughters, Avery and Marin of De Leon, Texas; his son, Matthew; daughter-in-law, Jenny; grandson, Brody; granddaughter, Delaney and grandson, Brennen of Olathe, Kansas; and daughter, Jenae Heller; son-in-law, Andre; granddaughter, Alexis (Ally) and granddaughter, Mya of Council Grove, Kansas. He is also survived by three half-brothers, Dan Hill of El Dorado, Kansas, Kevin Hill-Mackey of Three Rivers, Texas, and Matthew Roach of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Belle (Lewis) Jeffries; his father; his step-father; and half-brother, Scott Hill-Cosgrove.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, 3501 SW Wanamaker, Topeka, KS 66614. Military honors will be held at the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Homes for our Troops, www.hfotusa.org or the Midland Care Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.