John Curtis Whigham

John Curtis Whigham of Overland Park, Kansas passed away after a valiant fight against ALS on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the age of 62. John was born on June 2, 1961, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Sally and Ronald Whigham. He attended Greensburg Central Catholic High School and proudly graduated from West Virginia University in 1983 with his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.

The early years of John’s career led him to the oil fields of West Texas, offshore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado. Eventually, John found his way to Kansas City where he would reside for the remainder of his life.

John always dreamed of starting his own business. Following his entrepreneurial spirit, John ventured out on his own to launch Petrolink USA in 1989. Working tirelessly, he grew a company that serviced clients nationwide. He later founded Global Reliability Solutions (GRS) in 2012, which he proudly managed with his two sons.

John loved to focus his time on family, friends, faith, and fly fishing. Most of all, he cherished spending time with the love of his life, Ann, and their three beautiful children. John never missed his children’s soccer games, dance recitals, and the milestone moments in their lives. Over the years, John and Ann created unforgettable memories with family and friends in Jupiter, Florida and Beaver Creek, Colorado.

John is survived by his loving wife, Ann Rinella Whigham, and children, Kyle, Lindsey (David) Fratto, and Curtis. He is also survived by his mother, Sally Whigham; siblings, Karen (Marc) Massa and Patrick; and mother-in-law, Sue Rinella. John was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Whigham, and father-in-law, Anthony Rinella. John is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws and friends, all of which he considered family.

There will be a visitation on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the Church of the Ascension, 9510 West 127th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66213. The visitation will begin with the rosary at 4:00 PM and conclude at 7:00 PM. The Mass of Celebration will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the Church of the Ascension with Words of Remembrance shared by the family at 10:25 AM. Live-streaming of the service available at https://kcascension.org/

Memorial contributions can be made to I AM ALS at https://give.iamals.org/campaign/keep-swinging-fundraiser/c469392 or by check sent to the following address: I AM ALS, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #14135, Washington, DC 20044. Memo: John C. Whigham.

Floral arrangements may also be sent to the family through Dalton's Flowers, 913-642-2121.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Whigham family.