JD Fuerst, 88, Baxter Springs

JD Fuerst, 88, died Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Born in Salina June 22, 1935, JD was the son of to Ed and Lucille Fuerst, the youngest of four.

“Today is that day. The day Superman hangs up his cape to a ‘Well done good and faithful servant’. It’s the day our rudder gets removed from the boat. It’s the day the kindest, most hardworking, patient, soft-spoken, good to others, generous to a fault which he would have said wasn’t possible, hero with a heart of gold breaths his last.

“Today, we grieve together, family, the Dad and Papa that never had a bad day, because ‘you just have to get glad in the pants you got mad in’, never said an unkind word to anyone for any reason, and never worried needlessly because ‘if money can fix a problem, it isn’t a problem’. What a life he’s lived and what a legacy he leaves. He was a good and upright man,” said JD’s family.

JD’s family settled in Clarinda, Iowa. Clarinda would become home and the place he came back to time and time again. He enlisted in the military from Clarinda, started a family and came back to Clarinda later in life to live near lifelong friends. His friends were like family and he enjoyed countless happy hours, morning coffees on the square, and weekend breakfasts with them. He was a good son, brother, and great friend.

JD was a part of “The Old Guard” Army. As part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, he served as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C. for two tours. Which is rare, usually soldiers are only invited for a one hour tour. His honesty, integrity, duty, dedication, and honor caused a second invitation to serve. He escorted Miss America during that time and served on funeral duty in the Capital for US dignitaries lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. One of his fondest memories was taking his sons to one of the Tomb Guard Reunions and sharing that part of his life with them. He was a patriot.

JD was a farmer and truck driver for most of his life after that. There wasn’t a road or town he hadn’t been to in the country. Traveling with him was always fun. He had a story for every location. Whenever anyone went anywhere, the first call was always to JD, ‘The Human Atlas’, for directions and recommendations on the best places to get onion rings and milkshakes. He was the salt of the earth.

He loved his family fiercely. Survivors include children John, Mike, and DeeAnn; eight grandchildren, Candace, Tyler, Samantha, Shelby, Jeffery, Garett, Taylor, and Abigail; eleven great-grandchildren, Alexis, Sydnie, Orlando, Ryan, Greyson, Skylar, Clayton, Asher, Barrett, Jocelyn, and Harper and four great-great grandchildren Adelyn, Hadley, Maddyn, and Giovanni also survive.

His family was on his mind always, and where he wanted to be. Later in life he would ‘make the rounds’ between John and his family in Arkansas, DeeAnn and her family in Dallas, and Mike and his family in Houston. From family Christmas Cruises to Cozumel, Mexico, to walking around neighborhoods for exercise to find the grandkids, JD was there for it all. His eyes twinkled as he watched all the grandkids play. His stories, big booming laugh with accompanying knock on the table, and brilliant smile will be missed beyond measure. He was a good Dad and a great man.

A celebration of JD’s life and will be held April 20, at 1 p.m. in Baxter Springs at the Derfelt Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, we would love donations to go to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the Alzheimer’s Association.