John Zook Garwick

John Zook Garwick (92) of Manhattan, KS passed away on December 9, 2025 in his home. John was born in Minneapolis, MN on November 30, 1933, at home during a Thanksgiving Day meal, to Kenneth Orton Garwick and Mary Sophia Pelton Garwick. 

John met Virginia (Ginger) May Smithson at Portland Avenue Christian Church in Minneapolis, MN in 1949. They were married on September 22, 1951 and had 69 beautiful years together. 

John is survived by two sons: Kenneth (Cindy) Garwick of Kansas City, KS and Timothy (Celinda) Garwick of Panama City, FL; two daughters: Lori Garwick of Manhattan, KS and Heidi (Terry) Francis of Manhattan, KS; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Gwen Jennen of Federal Way, WA. 

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ginger, in 2020; two brothers; two sisters; and one grandson.

John’s first job was as a bus-boy/dishwasher. He also sold shoes, worked in horticulture, and worked as a custodian. However, John spent the majority of his working years in the fields of computer programming, data processing, and education. He was proud of the courses he designed and taught for blind students and of the courses he designed that were taught at proprietary and vocational schools. 

In 1974, John and Ginger moved the family to Manhattan, KS where he began teaching at Manhattan Area Vocational-Technical School. He retired in 1996 after serving on numerous committees and having touched the lives of over 700 students.

John had a passion for music. For 32 years, John loved singing in his church choirs. He was also a charter member of the Little Apple Manhattan Barbershop chorus, where he sang bass for many years. He and wife Ginger were awarded the 2001 Little Apple Chorus Award of Harmony. This award is given to individuals who exemplify community pride through their service and engagement. The two spent many years volunteering for Mercy Hospital, Manhattan Senior Center, and Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Together, they delivered meals- on-wheels, installed Medi-Mates, and provided transportation for individuals, along with  various other activities.

John is known and remembered as a man of great faith. He taught adult Sunday School class at First Christian Church (FCC) for 24 years and was given the designated title of Life Elder. John and Ginger found a new home at University Christian Church (UCC) where he helped teach an adult Sunday school class. He was a loved and respected member of the Tuesday morning men’s fellowship group, the Wednesday afternoon Bible study group, and enjoyed weekly breakfast and dinner gatherings with his faith friends. John also served UCC by volunteering for many events and by reading scripture and prayers for the traditional worship service.

A Celebration of Life will be announced later with inurnment at Sunrise Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.invinparkview.com. Memorial contributions may be made to University Christian Church, Manhattan, KS.