Obituary for John Kennedy Mandl
John Kennedy Mandl was the firstborn (1960) to Bernard and Judith Mandl. He was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo with three other siblings, Mike, Kelley and Bernie Jr. Together they lived much of their early years in the family home on 89th St. It was in this home where John developed a great love for being an athlete and artist.
The first childhood dream of being a sports star would be cut short due to an injury. It was after this, in his junior high years that John played many instruments, but was driven to be the best guitar player ever. He spent hours practicing, sometimes not coming out for hours, and only to eat and go back practicing. His siblings recall a house of music that enriched their memories and filled their days with music. His earlier days were garage bands, with one of the first being Snow Dog. John joined the Navy but soon found out his earlier roots of guitar playing were too strong, so John attended Charlie Parker Foundation in Kansas City before setting out for Los Angeles, California to attend Guitar Institute of Technology. Once he graduated, he formed a band with his younger brother, Bernie and fellow classmate, Crash. Forgotten Child was born and in 1985 they produced their first album. In 1986 John’s father, Bernie, created Blu Lampion Records to produce their new music while the band toured all over the United States. In 1988- 1990 Forgotten Child had hundreds of thousands of fans - this was the height of John’s music career. One of his best memories was opening for Stevie Ray Vaughn's band at Dallas City Limits. Johns song, Angel Eyes was never produced due to his perfectionistic spirit and true to form love of art and as many artists, he was authentic to his creativity.
After returning from Los Angeles for the last time, in 2001 John lived a monastic lifestyle praying daily and studying Catholicism - he was driven to be the best Catholic he could be.
In the last few years, John had been studying classical guitar in order to write an original sonata to rival the masters that he followed and loved - Mozart, Beethoven and Bach. John was truly a musical genius and if not for personal incapacitating reoccurrences, would surely have been exceedingly successful. John was building a recording stdio and planning the next phase in his musical career to produce another solo album before his untimely death. In the Ozarks John was known by many as the guitar man. He will be missed for his poetic contribution to the family of humanity.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00pm Friday, December 18, 2020 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri where a Rosary will be held at 5:30pm.
John’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 1505 W. Atlantic Street in Springfield with Father Matthew Stafki celebrating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com
The first childhood dream of being a sports star would be cut short due to an injury. It was after this, in his junior high years that John played many instruments, but was driven to be the best guitar player ever. He spent hours practicing, sometimes not coming out for hours, and only to eat and go back practicing. His siblings recall a house of music that enriched their memories and filled their days with music. His earlier days were garage bands, with one of the first being Snow Dog. John joined the Navy but soon found out his earlier roots of guitar playing were too strong, so John attended Charlie Parker Foundation in Kansas City before setting out for Los Angeles, California to attend Guitar Institute of Technology. Once he graduated, he formed a band with his younger brother, Bernie and fellow classmate, Crash. Forgotten Child was born and in 1985 they produced their first album. In 1986 John’s father, Bernie, created Blu Lampion Records to produce their new music while the band toured all over the United States. In 1988- 1990 Forgotten Child had hundreds of thousands of fans - this was the height of John’s music career. One of his best memories was opening for Stevie Ray Vaughn's band at Dallas City Limits. Johns song, Angel Eyes was never produced due to his perfectionistic spirit and true to form love of art and as many artists, he was authentic to his creativity.
After returning from Los Angeles for the last time, in 2001 John lived a monastic lifestyle praying daily and studying Catholicism - he was driven to be the best Catholic he could be.
In the last few years, John had been studying classical guitar in order to write an original sonata to rival the masters that he followed and loved - Mozart, Beethoven and Bach. John was truly a musical genius and if not for personal incapacitating reoccurrences, would surely have been exceedingly successful. John was building a recording stdio and planning the next phase in his musical career to produce another solo album before his untimely death. In the Ozarks John was known by many as the guitar man. He will be missed for his poetic contribution to the family of humanity.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00pm Friday, December 18, 2020 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri where a Rosary will be held at 5:30pm.
John’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 1505 W. Atlantic Street in Springfield with Father Matthew Stafki celebrating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com