John was born in Waco, Texas on June 1, 1969, to Cathlyn (Siler) Verbrugge and Vernon Mitchell Buice. Upon graduation, John held several jobs from McDonald’s, Roscore Video, Pizza Hut and Southeast Enterprise. John loved Jesus, fast food, Diet Coke, professional wrestling, karaoke, and endless bread sticks and salad at Olive Garden. John participated in the Special Olympics in Swimming and Bowling. John was also a comedian and practical jokester and loved plants and animals. John followed the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos and often switched whom he was rooting for based on who had a higher score at the time. April fool’s Day was his favorite holiday.
He retired and found a second career at Imagine That! KC. John always wanted to be famous, which he more than accomplished through the multifaceted artwork by the time he was 45 years old. His work was purchased by collectors around the world, included in gallery shows, and featured on a billboard in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. “His work was highly influenced by his personal experience of historical events and pop culture high points from the 60’s through the 80’s. Working primarily through collage, he used these references to make poignant and often hilarious statements about the world in which we exist. Over the years, John’s work has been recognized throughout Kansas City, the country and the UK”(Imagine That! KC).
John was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Mitchell Buice and Paul Verbrugge his “Bonus Dad”.
Survivors include his mother Cathlyn Verbrugge, brother, Jason Buice and his partner Allison Rodcap, his siter-in-law, Gina Buice, his sister, Julianna Samoff, and his brother-in-law, Tim Samoff. John was a proud uncle to Calvin, Josiah, Blaine, Clara, and Isaac.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers at Desperado's as well as the artists and staff at Imagine That! KC
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 22, 2024, at 10:00am Maywood Baptist Church in the Youth Chapel. Memorial gifts in John’s name may be sent to his art studio, Imagine That! KC at imaginethatkc.org/donate, or JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Services under the direction of McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home, 11924 E 47th St Kansas City, Missouri 64133.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.11.2