In Memory Of
John L. Espy
John L. Espy
John Lee Espy, 84, Topeka, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Stormont-Vail Hospital.
He was born Feb. 7, 1922 in Cordele, Georgia, the son of Alto and Iona Peterman Espy. He graduated from Cordele High School, Georgia Tech University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, he earned a DBA at Harvard Business School.
Although he served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2, and worked as a chemical engineer for the Eastman Kodak Company, Dr. Espy spent most of his career as a missionary and teacher for the American Baptist Churches. He lived in Istanbul, Turkey for six years and in Rochester, NY for nine years before moving to Hong Kong in 1962. There he worked at Chung Chi College, which soon became part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Apart from three years in Newton Center, MA, he remained in Hong Kong until 1989, when he retired and settled in Topeka.
During his retirement, he taught business courses at Washburn University and was a member of West Side Baptist Church.
He married Ruth C. Bodemer on July 8, 1950 in Cambridge, MA. She died Nov. 19, 2002.
Survivors include two sons, Lincoln L. Espy, Kansas City, MO and John M. Espy, Lawrence, KS; a daughter, Brenda Mitchell, Shelburne, VT; a brother, Eugene Espy, Macon, GA; and six grandchildren.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m., at West Side Baptist Church, 1008 SW Fourth St., Topeka, KS 66606.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Burma, c/o Neil Sowards, 548 Home Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46807; or to West Side Baptist Church.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home, Topeka, is assisting the family. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com.
He was born Feb. 7, 1922 in Cordele, Georgia, the son of Alto and Iona Peterman Espy. He graduated from Cordele High School, Georgia Tech University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, he earned a DBA at Harvard Business School.
Although he served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2, and worked as a chemical engineer for the Eastman Kodak Company, Dr. Espy spent most of his career as a missionary and teacher for the American Baptist Churches. He lived in Istanbul, Turkey for six years and in Rochester, NY for nine years before moving to Hong Kong in 1962. There he worked at Chung Chi College, which soon became part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Apart from three years in Newton Center, MA, he remained in Hong Kong until 1989, when he retired and settled in Topeka.
During his retirement, he taught business courses at Washburn University and was a member of West Side Baptist Church.
He married Ruth C. Bodemer on July 8, 1950 in Cambridge, MA. She died Nov. 19, 2002.
Survivors include two sons, Lincoln L. Espy, Kansas City, MO and John M. Espy, Lawrence, KS; a daughter, Brenda Mitchell, Shelburne, VT; a brother, Eugene Espy, Macon, GA; and six grandchildren.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m., at West Side Baptist Church, 1008 SW Fourth St., Topeka, KS 66606.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Burma, c/o Neil Sowards, 548 Home Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46807; or to West Side Baptist Church.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home, Topeka, is assisting the family. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John L. Espy, please visit our flower store.
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