John Michael Harrington

John Michael Harrington, 75, of Topeka, passed away Monday, December 5, 2022.

He was born May 14, 1947, in Deer Lodge, Montana, the son of Robert D. and Betty J. (McGee) Harrington.

John served as a Paratrooper in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1968. After returning from Vietnam, he attended California State University, Long Beach earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology.

John worked in the Family Services Department in Los Angeles County assisting families with financial assistance. He became a US Postal worker in the 1970's, working in the Los Angeles and Placerville, California area and later in Topeka, Kansas.

John later worked at The Menninger Clinic from 1989 to 1992 as a Mental Health Technician. His work with adolescents at Menninger was life-changing. He later broadened his patient care services to include the often overlooked aging patients who battled with mental and emotional issues.

John was a volunteer with Snowline Hospice in Placerville, California and continued his hospice and elder care outreach throughout his life. He worked at the Sierra Boys Ranch in Placerville, California from April 1998 to 2002. He retired in 2006.

John was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka. He was also a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

His journey of sobriety was lifelong. His commitment to God was the driving force in everything he did. He used his own personal understanding of God; Perfect Kindness, to help himself and others. He met others wherever they were on their journeys in order to help them find understanding, perspective and peace. His pursuit of inner peace led him outward. It was through sharing his kindness and his love of God with others that led to his own Perfect Joy.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Harrington of Topeka; son, Cole Harrington of Topeka; daughter, Karen Kemp of Manhattan, Kansas; granddaughter, Krista Kemp of Topeka; sisters, Darlene Hartman of Huntington Beach, California and Carol Taylor of Oregon; brother, Darrell Harrington of Grizzly Flats, California and many loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Juliet Faith Harrington.

John was an avid motorcyclist and enjoyed reading (almost) every book on spirituality and wellness. He adored his family and friends.

Honoring John's request, cremation is planned. A Celebration of John's Life will take place at 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. The family will greet friends starting at 5:00 pm with a Rosary to be recited at approximately 5:45 pm.

In lieu of memorial contributions the family asks that you show kindness to an alcoholic and to share your joy with all.

To leave a message of condolence for John's family, or to share a special memory of John, visit the guestbook below.

John's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.