John Willard Rodecap Sr.  passed away at his home on February  26th, 2010, after a brave battle with cancer with his family by his side.  John was born Feb. 15^th 1931, in Meriden, Kansas to Willard and Celia (Leonard) Rodecap.  John graduated from Meriden High School in 1949.  He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1949 as a radio operator and was stationed in Alaska and in Germany.  John was honorably discharged in 1953.  In 1956 he met Charlotte Barton and they were married on May 18^th, 1956.  John and Charlotte have 6 children. John Jr. (Cindy) of Lecompton, Rita Guy of rural Perry, Larry of Thompsonville, Terri Gawith (Jim) of rural Lawrence, and Lisa Bond (Scott) of Rural Perry.  They also adopted their grandson Jeremy (Angie) of Perry.  John worked for KP&L for 34 years as a foreman on the tree crew, was a member of I.B.E.W. Local 304, and also owned Rodecap Tree Service for a number of years.  In 1961, while working for KP&L, John received the National Safety Council President’s Medal when he saved the life of a co-worker with CPR when the co-worker received a severe electric shock.  He was the first person in the Topeka area to have received this award.  John also was instrumental in forming the Rural Township Fire Department (now Jefferson County Fire District # 3) in 1984 and served as Fire Chief shortly after its inception until retiring as Chief in 2004. John remained on the fire department until his full retirement in 2009.   John was also the Township Trustee for Rural Township from 1985 to 2009.  John was proud of helping with the Buck Creek Schoolhouse being placed on the list of National Historic Places and seeing it restored to its former glory during his time as Trustee.  After his retirement from KP&L, John enjoyed his free time working in the yard and raising miniature horses, one of which was awarded several national championships in one year. He was a founding member of the Kansas Miniature Horse Club.  He also enjoyed working for RWD # 13 reading the water meters for the past several years.  In his later years John and Charlotte enjoyed travelling and attending bluegrass festivals.  John is survived by his wife, children, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and other extended family members. He is also survived by his brother James of rural Pomona and numerous nephews and nieces.  John was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Joseph, Robert, and Dale.  Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on March 6^th, 2010 at Barnett Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa.  Funeral Services will be held on March 7^th, 2010 at the American Legion in Perry at 2 P.M.  Burial will be performed at the Meriden Cemetery following the service in Perry, with full firefighter honors.  Memorial contributions can be sent to the John Rodecap Sr. Memorial Fund, in care of Barnett Funeral Home 820 Liberty St., Oskaloosa, KS 66066.  Go to http://www.barnettchapeloaks.com  to leave condolences.