John (Jack) Carroll Folse, 99, of Overland Park, KS, passed away Monday, November 17, 2025 peacefully surrounded by his family, friends and caregiver. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 PM, November 21st, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66214. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Holy Spirit Catholic School, Catholic Youth Organization, Vitae Foundation, Ascend Hospice, or Peace Out Cancer.
Jack was born August 28, 1926, in Donaldsonville, LA to Henry and Loretta (Nassauer) Folse. Jack was modest of his service to his country, but his family is proud of his accomplishments. His military career included stints in the Coast Guard, the Merchant Marines, and the US Army. He served in the WWII and the Korean War. He worked as a computer technician in the Army in 1945 which launched his post-military career. He worked many years with Sperry/Univac and retired from there in 1981 and went on to work several more years for Kansas City Power and Light. He was a devout longtime member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years Grace, brothers Henry (Arthur) and Roy, daughter Renee', great grandchildren Greyson and Braxton and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Folse. Jack is survived by his four children John (Diane) Folse, Stephanie (Jeff) Gunderson, Byron (Strausie) Folse, Joe (Bev) Folse, twelve grandchildren David Atchison, Kevin Gunderson, Dana (Matt) Stutzman, Lisa Gunderson, Nick Folse, Laura Folse, Jennifer (Donald) Snyder, Audrey Lehr, Christy Folse (Geoff) Haun, Heather (Andrew) Doughty, Sarah Folse, Amanda Folse, fifteen great grandchildren; Dustin, David, Eliza, Lydia, James, Henry, Andrew, Emily, Nicholas, Cayden, Aspen, Winter, Kaelyn (David), Haeli, Cooper and many extended family members and countless friends.
In addition to starting each day by thanking God for that day and all of God’s blessings he believed in keeping a positive mindset and his infamous works of wisdom: “Learn and Help Others”.
Jack always had a passion for computers and electronics. Growing up the family remembers most appliances having some amount of black electrical tape holding them together. He fixed things his way. It may not have been the easiest way, but it always worked. He built a home computer from a kit in 1975, far before anyone could conceive of having a computer in their house. That passion continued through the last few years as he spent many hours with son Byron building and programming robots.
Jack was a lifelong avid golfer and was still playing well into his 90’s. Jack’s youngest son Joe remembers admiring but not necessarily sharing Jack’s love of golf. One of the first and possibly only time they played a round of golf Jack claimed Joe beat him by two strokes and that was the reason they never played again. His best kept secret to golf was to keep score.
Jack and Grace enjoyed traveling all over the world with friends and family. They enjoyed spending time going to various casinos locally and around the country.
He showed us that the secret to a long happy life is simple: spend your time doing things you love with the people you love. His life was a testament to the power of joy, gratitude, and loving others; values that continue to define his legacy.