In Memory Of
John R. Atchley
1933
2022
John R. Atchley
December 3, 1933 — May 6, 2022
John R. Atchley, Topeka, KS., passed away on May 6, 2022. He was born in Marshall, Missouri on December 3, 1933, the son of John B. Atchley and Mildred Mathis. His family moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1940. He graduated from Rosedale High School. He attended Rockhurst College and the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He received the Charter Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College.
In 1972, he accepted a position as Treasurer of the American Home Life Insurance Company and the family moved to Topeka. He retired from American Home Life in 1998 as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He was active in the community serving as President of Downtown Topeka, Chairman of the Board of the Greater Chamber of Commerce, President to the Kansas Life Association and active in several other organizations in the community and in the life insurance industry. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He served eight years in the Naval Reserve, honorably discharged in 1960.
John married Marilyn Wilkey on February 11, 1953. She survives. They have four children, John Atchley (Dianna), Pam Bradshaw (Allen) and Patricia Atchley. A son, Steven Atchley, passed away in 2008. They have ten grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. John has one sister, Mary Smith, Paola, KS.
John loved to play golf and he and Marilyn enjoyed traveling together. John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had a way with words that he often expressed in writing and submitted to the Topeka Capital Journal's "Opinion" column. John is sorely missed and will be remembered as a compassionate, generous man with a great sense of humor who made others feel special in his presence.
Honoring John's wishes, cremation is planned. A private memorial service will be held. Memorial gifts can be made in his honor to Grace Cathedral Church in Topeka, Kansas.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
In 1972, he accepted a position as Treasurer of the American Home Life Insurance Company and the family moved to Topeka. He retired from American Home Life in 1998 as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He was active in the community serving as President of Downtown Topeka, Chairman of the Board of the Greater Chamber of Commerce, President to the Kansas Life Association and active in several other organizations in the community and in the life insurance industry. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He served eight years in the Naval Reserve, honorably discharged in 1960.
John married Marilyn Wilkey on February 11, 1953. She survives. They have four children, John Atchley (Dianna), Pam Bradshaw (Allen) and Patricia Atchley. A son, Steven Atchley, passed away in 2008. They have ten grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. John has one sister, Mary Smith, Paola, KS.
John loved to play golf and he and Marilyn enjoyed traveling together. John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had a way with words that he often expressed in writing and submitted to the Topeka Capital Journal's "Opinion" column. John is sorely missed and will be remembered as a compassionate, generous man with a great sense of humor who made others feel special in his presence.
Honoring John's wishes, cremation is planned. A private memorial service will be held. Memorial gifts can be made in his honor to Grace Cathedral Church in Topeka, Kansas.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John R. Atchley, please visit our flower store.
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