John R. Selvidge, Jr. (81) passed away at his home on November 20, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1944 at Ft. Riley, Kansas to John R. Selvidge Sr. and Helen E. Selvidge. His father was in the Army, so he spent some of his childhood years in Germany (1949-54 and 1956-59). He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1962. John worked at Endicott Electric for about a year and was a truck driver for Kershaw Ready Mix for several years, prior to starting his career in 1973 as a Police Officer at Kansas State University. He retired in 2002.
In 1975, he married Peggy Blacker and they had two children, Todd and Dana. They divorced in 1993.
John enjoyed going to auctions, car shows and gun shows with his friends. He liked buying and trading guns, and seeing those classic cars, but the friendships he formed with those guys was very important to him. He also enjoyed watching K-State sports and the KC Chiefs games from the comfort of his home. He loved watching westerns on tv or was busy reading a western book.
The light of his life was his family-especially his grandchildren. His granddaughter, MaKenna, was very special to him. She was very active in sports throughout her school years. She played softball, volleyball, and basketball. He loved going to as many games as he could to watch her play. She got a volleyball scholarship at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas in the Fall of 2025, but his health was declining and he was unable to attend any of her games. Her career path is in nursing. He was very proud of her. He was also proud of his step-granddaughters, as they are also pursuing their college dreams-- Alanna in Secondary Education and Kyla in Horticulture.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John R. Selvidge, Sr. and Helen E. Selvidge; sister, Mary Horn; and sister-in-law, Kathleen Selvidge.
He is survived by his son, Alex McPhearson (Todd at birth), of St. George, daughter, Dana (Jason) Walsh, of Leonardville; granddaughter, MaKenna Wamsher, of Leonardville; step grandchildren Zacharij Wamsher, of Louisburg, MO; Alanna and Kyla Walsh, of Leonardville; brother Harold R. Selvidge, of Topeka; nephew, Sean (Nicole) Selvidge, of Topeka; great nephew and niece, Nathan and Jessica Selvidge of Topeka; and other nieces and nephews in Indiana.