Reverend Dr. John Borden

Reverend Dr. John Borden, age 85, was a remarkable man known for his kindness, optimism, and unique sense of humor.  He brought smiles to everyone he encountered.  His life was a journey of discovery, from engineering to banking to the ministry.  He lived the last four years with many medical challenges and passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024.

            John was born on June 25, 1938, to Helen and Prentice Borden in Berwyn, Illinois.  He had one younger sister, Barbara.  He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, arriving on a very uncomfortable yellow school bus (his father’s company.). Graduating in 1961 with an engineering degree, he went into banking at Continental Bank in Chicago.   Later, in Kansas City, he became the CEO of the Kansas City Clearing House where he expanded the organization from 42 members to 2000 members in over nine states.  He also founded the Forum of Clearing House Executives, a national organization.  

            He was active on a number of boards, as chairman of Truman Hospital, Kansas City Eye Foundation, Center for Practical Bioethics, and the downtown YMCA.  John never stopped learning.  He earned graduate degrees at Baker University: MLA, University of Chicago: MBA, Central Baptist Seminary: Master of Divinity, Oxford University: Certificate in religious studies, and San Francisco Seminary: Dr. of Ministry.

            The cornerstone of John’s life was his family.   He met Margaret (Peg) Lynch at college and they married on July 1, 1961.  John and Peg were married for 62 years and were a team in all respects.   They raised two sons, James (Brooklynne,) an internal medicine doctor in Portland, Oregon, and Robert (Merci,) a screenwriter in Los Angeles.  Both have lovely families, including three grandchildren—Natalie, Bridget, and Remy.   

            John became a Presbyterian Minister after a call from God.  He and Peg have been members of Village Church for over 48 years.  He held every office there and chaired their strategic planning with Dr. Robert Menneilly.  With Village Church as his sponsor, John was ordained in 2002 as Minister of Word and Sacrament.

            He was Pastor at Roanoke Presbyterian Church, South Broadland Church, Valley Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, and eventually was executive consultant at Central Baptist Seminary.  John taught classes at Village Church and authored two books.  He loved to study theology and created the Theology Club at Tallgrass.  

            In his spare time he loved puzzling and model trains, enjoyed traveling, and was a fanatic Chief’s fan.  He lived by “Go God,” and by love conquering all in the world sooner or later.  

            In lieu of flowers, donations to Village Church would be appreciated.  A memorial is scheduled for April 20th at 2pm at Village Church Antioch, 14895 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66221.