John Eric Templeton

We are devastated to announce the passing of John Eric Templeton, 56, of Columbia, Missouri.  John left us on February 5, 2024, after a valiant battle with Pancreatic Cancer.  John was the most-gentle soul, the kindest, smartest man who ever lived.  John was born on December 26, 1967 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to Robert Lee Templeton and Evelyn Meril (Williams) Templeton.  From 1968 to 1984 the Templeton family resided in Sedalia, Missouri and then in 1984 moved to Topeka, Kansas where John graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1986.  He attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.  After graduation moved to Lincoln, Nebraska (yes, he was a Cornhusker fan during that time, but we forgive him), and took his first job with Shelter Insurance Companies in January of 1992 as a loss control specialist traveling throughout Kansas and Nebraska.  John moved to Columbia, Missouri in October of 1996 and began working at the Home Office in Underwriting, Information Services until his retirement in January of 2024 as Manager of Customer Service ending his 32-year career.  John had big plans for retirement, but cancer had other ideas.  John’s message to you is “JUST DO IT!  Don’t wait.  Cliche’ coming…tomorrow is never promised.”

On June 28, 1997, John was united in marriage to Jill Renee (Slatten) Templeton, the most loving husband and most devoted father, mentor and life coach to Bailey Rae Templeton and Lucas “Luke” Robert Templeton both of Columbia, Missouri, his pride & joy.  In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his father Robert Lee Templeton of Columbia, brother Mark Alan Templeton of Gravois Mills, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his sweet mother “Evie.”

John was a “Jack of all trades and master of (not none), but MOST.”  He was an “autodidact” (self-taught, self-driven, motivated to expand his knowledge).  Even going so far as bugging his parents’ home as a child to find out what he was getting for Christmas. John knew what he wanted, was resourceful, creative, curious, committed and disciplined.   He could build anything, and the final product was always something that was built to withstand the test of time.  He was a master of anything technical, electrical, motorized and earned the title of “Captain Techno”.  This title fit perfectly on a trip with friends who for seven days said, “JOHN, JOHN, JOHN” so he could get their Internet to work while in the open waters in the BVI.

To honor John’s memory, the family is holding a Celebration of Life on March 2, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Midway Events-Tavern Hall, 5500 W. Van Horn Tavern Rd., Columbia, Missouri 65203.  We invite anyone who knew our hero to attend and remember his wonderful life.  We ask his friends and family to wear bright summer colors as if you are on our dock living the “lake-life” he loved and worked so hard for.

In lieu of flowers and John’s love for Golden Retrievers, donations can be made to The Golden Retriever Foundation in John’s name through the website.  https://www.goldenretrieverfoundation.org/ways-to-give;jsessionid=DcfgmRxix_zQY1Phnih17aTPsQ_Pdbah0aAnbbmp.