John Wayne Davenport, 81, of Hutchinson, died August 17, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born January 24, 1943, in Alexandria, LA, to Oren W. and Nina M. (Price) Davenport, while Oren was serving in WWII.
John graduated from Nickerson High School in 1961 and received a degree in engineering from Wichita State University. He co-owned and operated Price Water Well Service for 25 years and later Gambino’s Pizza for 20 years. John was self-employed most of his life and showed his entrepreneurial spirit early by starting his own hay baling business while in high school. Besides great common sense, he was a gifted mathematician and helped his children and several of their friends make it through high school math classes. John loved spending time with family and friends at the lake and Table Rock Lake in Missouri was his favorite place to go. He also loved Jeeps, and he and his family made many life-long friendships through his membership in the Salt City Four Wheel Drive Club. John also loved cars, from the 1940 Chevy Coupe he drove to high school to the 1964 El Camino he drove to work at Gambino’s, he was happiest behind the wheel of a Hot Rod! John also had a kind heart and loved animals, regularly giving the last bite of his sandwich to whichever dog was sitting close to his chair. John was of the Methodist faith.
On October 11, 1963, he married Kathryn “Elaine” Runyan, in Hutchinson. They shared 58 years of marriage before her death on December 3, 2021.
John is survived by: his children, Karmen Davenport of Manhattan, Jason Davenport (Angie) of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Abbie Davenport, Griffin Davenport; sisters, Virginia Elliott of Hutchinson, Nina Kuettel of Wichita; brothers-in-law, Steve Runyan (friend, Sharon Watson) of Caldwell, Royce Runyan (LeAnn) of Cape Fair, MO; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Elaine; grandson, John Grayson Davenport; brothers-in-law, Randy Elliott and Joseph Kuettel.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Gambino’s Pizza, 310 S. Main St. in South Hutchinson.
Private family inurnment will take place in Bean Memorial Cemetery in Little River.
Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until September 7 at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorial donations may be made to John Davenport Memorial Fund to benefit Hutchinson High School Swim Team, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.