John Sanborn

John William Sanborn was born on April 23, 1954 in Dodge City, Kansas. John was adopted at age 5 by Robert Bare after he and John’s mother Joanne Jones Sanborn married. The family moved from Dalhart Texas where Robert and Joanne met to the family homestead near Protection where Robert farmed and raised quarter horses. John graduated in 1972 from Protection High School where he was active in music and played football. The family attended the Ashland Presbyterian Church.

John had a wonderful tenor voice and he studied music at the University of Texas at El Paso, Oregon State University and Wichita State University. In the late 70’s John returned to Protection where he farmed with Robert. He was married twice, to Kathleen Martinez and then to Nicola Dominicoli. Both marriages ended in divorce.

John continued to share his musical talent. The Ashland Presbyterian Church centennial history records that John sang “Comfort Ye My People” by Handel and “Ave Marie” by Schubert at the 1984 Christmas Vespers service. Betty Arnspiger, the church organist, recorded that service and used it in her prison ministry. According the Betty, John’s beautiful voice was truly a gift from God that touched many souls.

In 1999 John was injured in a serious automobile accident that rendered him unable to work. One of his few pleasures in the next few years were the hours he spent in his cars surveying the countryside, until he was no longer able to drive. 

 In later years John became a member of the Catholic Church and was ministered to by parish members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ashland, especially by Cletus Mages. 

 He was aided in later years by his friend Chris White.

 John is preceded in death by his father Robert Bare and his Mother Joanne Bare. John is survived by his sister Roberta Bare of Laverne, Oklahoma, and his friend Chris White of Ashland. 

Graveside service will be held at 1:00PM Monday July 8, 2024 in the Highland Cemetery of Ashland, Kansas.