John William Trantham

July 18, 1930 - October 15, 2011

John W. Trantham, 81, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Services will be held at 12 noon Friday, October 21, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. John was born on July 18, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Frank M. Trantham and Erma (Nadler) Trantham. He grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Central High School and the University of Kansas with a degree in Political Science. Upon graduation from college, he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1957, he returned from a tour in Germany, resigning from the agency to pursue a career in mortgage banking. He worked for the Travelers Insurance Company as a Field Loan Representative and Appraiser. In 1962 he joined First Mortgage Investment Company as Vice President and Staff Appraiser. In 1981 he became President, having served as Executive Vice President and Director for the previous 15 years. In 1982, he bought the company from United Central Bancshares and subsequently merged the company into Mager Mortgage Company of Oklahoma. In 1988 he established Residential Mortgage Corporation, a mortgage banking company originating residential loans in the greater Kansas City area. He was a founder and a past president of the Kansas City Mortgage Bankers Association, which awarded him with a lifetime achievement award in 2000 and a founder and a past president of Missouri Mortgage Bankers Association. He was a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and a real estate broker in Kansas and Missouri for over 40 years. He was also a veteran, having served in the USAF and having reached the rank of Captain. He was active in many civic and service organizations in Kansas City, including the Downtown Rotary Club #13, American Royal Board of Governors, Honorary Directors of Rockhurst University, and Development Board member of Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries. He was a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, its Brotherhood, and the R.O.M.E.O’s. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and a descendant of Edward Doty, a passenger on the Mayflower. He had some Native American ancestors and was proud of his Cherokee heritage. He was predeceased by his wife Rita Trantham, sister Edna Ness, and son Tim Trantham. He is survived by his son Daniel Trantham, of Chicago, IL, brother Frank Trantham of Kansas City, MO, step sons Craig, Jeff, and Jack Glazer; step grandsons Jake and Alex Glazer; nieces Karen Brigham and Johanna Harman; and nephews Marc and Eric Trantham. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations made in John’s memory to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Hospice, or to a charity of your choice.