John Dale Hosford

John Dale Hosford, 76, died Wednesday (March 26, 2025) at Paramount Community Living and Rehab.

He was born on August 22, 1948 in Atchison, KS, the son of Junior (Dale) and Edna Pruett Hosford. He attended El Dorado High School and earned a GED.

John met Connie Farris, his future wife, in the El Dorado community through mutual friends. They were married on August 22, 1966 in Newkirk, OK. They resided in El Dorado until John’s job at Buzz Inn moved them to Fort Collins, CO. Then they embarked on an adventure of owning their own restaurant Lil Duffer restaurant in Clay Center, KS. John then chose to join the Air Force in 1968. He served as a small arms instructor in the Air Force for 10 years. He traveled to Tinker in Midwest City, OK, Korea and Warner-Robins in Georgia for the Air Force. In order to raise their children near family, John chose to join the Air National Guard and moved to Newton, KS to become an insurance agent for MFA Insurance (later to be known as Shelter Insurance).

John was well known in the Newton community as an outstanding insurance agent. He retired from Shelter Insurance after 45 years of service. John won numerous awards that lined the walls of his insurance office. He was named Agent of the Year in 1982. John worked countless hours to expand the growth of his insurance business and wholeheartedly served the residents of Newton.

John was a member of the Newton Jaycees and Newton Rotary chapter. His favorite Rotary events included selling peaches and delivering dictionaries to children at the local schools. He served Meals on Wheels for several years in Newton. He could be seen volunteering to ring the Christmas bells for the Salvation Army. He was also actively involved and a member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.

John’s hobbies included spoiling his dogs, taking the grandchildren to the donut shop on Saturday mornings, garage sailing, keeping his lawn neatly groomed, buying and selling vehicles for nearly every family member (whether they agreed or not) and riding his three wheeler motorcycle. Above all else, John was ornery! He often called his grandchildren to discuss his mischievous plans and they each quickly said, “does Grandma know about this?” and called her on speed dial. John’s smile is absolutely unforgettable and will live on in the family’s hearts.

Survivors include wife Connie Hosford of Newton; daughter Kandy Elder and husband Randy of Newton; son John Hosford Jr. and wife Carrie of Wichita; his grandchildren Kayla Hiebert, Jessica Laney, Bailey Hosford, Wyatt Hosford, Gunner Hosford, Logan and Amelia Hosford; his great-grandchildren Emma and Max Hiebert and Maci and Layla Williams; sister Pamela Hill and husband Tom of Lenexa, KS; sister Kathryn Lee and husband Ed of Salina, KS; brother Mark Hosford and wife Natalie of Lawrence, KS as well as countless nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his parents Junior (Dale) and Edna Hosford.

Visitation will be held at 6-8 pm, Monday (March 31, 2025) at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral service will take place at 2 pm, Tuesday (April 1, 2025) at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. Burial will immediately follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

The family wishes to give a special thank you to the staff at Paramount Living Community and Good Shepherd Hospice. He lived at Paramount for the final five years of his life. The staff at Paramount and Good Shepherd provided him extreme comfort and dignity in his final days of life. He was particularly fond of the Administrator, Gretchen Sapp and his greenhouse nurse Shelby.

A memorial has been established with the Newton Rotary Foundation and Good Shepherd Hospice. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.