John Wesley Mcfatrich, Sr.

John Wesley McFatrich Sr., 80, of Houstonia, MO, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. He was born on February 11, 1944, in Sedalia, MO, the son of Harry McFatrich and Lora Irene (Hoehns), who preceded him in death.

On May 10, 1964, in Sedalia, MO, he was united in marriage to Joyce Darlene Todd, who resides in the home.

John owned and operated Big J Enterprise, a welding and fabrication company in Houstonia, MO. He was a welder and truck driver for Parkhurst Manufacturing, a mechanic at Case Tractor in Marshall, MO, and Bryant Motors in Sedalia. John retired as a Stihl-certified small engine mechanic at Otten's Small Engines, Sedalia. John's passion was auto racing. In his younger years, he raced stock cars and, later in life, welded and fabricated race car trailers. Everyone knew "Big John" at State Fair Speedway and Saline County Speedway in Marshall. After retirement, his small engine expertise helped fuel his success in building and competing in hot rod garden tractor pulling. Later in retirement, John's passions blossomed towards gardening, landscaping, and tending to their small orchard with his wife.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by a son, John Wesley McFatrich, Jr. (Wendy) of Lee's Summit, MO, and a granddaughter, Madeline Marie McFatrich.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberlin Kay McFatrich.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Rea Funeral Chapel.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

The burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia, MO, immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas City Hospice House in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.