John “Jack” Ross Varner, a longtime resident of St. Louis, passed away on April 24, 2021 at the age of 69.
Jack is survived by his children: Emily Catherine Varner-Boland and Matthew Ross Varner; and his sister Nancy Helmer. He also leaves behind his four-legged companion, Remington Murphy. He is predeceased by his parents Donald and Catherine and his sister Linda Diane Buetow.
Jack was born in Fairmont, West Virginia on September 19, 1951 to Donald Varner and Catherine Sheehan. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1992 with a degree in Economics. Jack worked for Bunge North America in both their New York City and St. Louis offices for a total of thirty-nine years. While in their employ, he traveled extensively across four continents with a final personal trip to Israel in 2019. He celebrated his love of travel with his children in 2014 with a 10-day excursion across Italy. Jack was an avid reader, gun enthusiast, and lover of music from the 1960s and 1970s.
A memorial visitation is scheduled for 12:30 PM on May 15th until service 1:30 PM at Kutis Funeral Home, 2906 Gravois Ave. In lieu of flowers, the children request donations be made to the St. Margaret of Scotland School 3964 Castleman Ave St louis Mo.63110 (http://www.smos-school.org)
I worked with Jack for several years on Bunge’s SAP GTM project. I thoroughly enjoyed working him. He had a wealth of knowledge, and was always willing to help out. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. I know he’ll be greatly missed.
Jack gave me a tremendous opportunity late in my career and brought me onto his team, making my last years before early retirement both enriching and rewarding. He was a wonderful boss, and a wonderful friend. I am heartbroken at this news, as the last time we talked he had just gotten positive news from the doctor. Deepest sympathies to his children and all those who cared about him (there are many). One of my friends who also worked with him said he always knew how to make her laugh, even when she was really down. That was one of Jack’s many gifts. He will be very much missed.
It’s so sad a good man was called home to God so soon.
When I first started working for Bunge I was in the steno pool working on the trading floor. Jack was a grain trader at the time. I got to know him while typing up the grain materials for all the grain traders. He always had a smile for everyone. It was a joy to work with him. He took the time to interact with his coworkers, guide them and was liked by many at Bunge. He will be sorely missed by so many people.
May God give his family strength during this difficult time.
I enjoyed working with Jack every single day. His business acumen, cultural knowledge and sympathy allowed me and many of my colleagues feel welcomed in the office environment. Jack and I first met in 2010 and worked in the GTM project for 5 years. Jack truly loved and was devoted to his kids, he liked to share stories and adventures of him with his son and his daughter. We will miss Jack, but our fun memories will stay forever in our hearts. To Emily and Mathew I send my deepest condolences. Your father was a great man and you now have an angel guarding you from high above.
– Memo Alcazar
Hello, I’m so sorry to hear of this news as I just found out yesterday of Jack’s passing.
Jack and I first met in 1982. I came out from Landmark in Columbus Ohio (Ohio Farm Bureau) to a National Corn Growers Assoc meeting in St. Louis. I had dinner with Jack and Andrew Marting. That was my first Fact to Face meeting with anyone in Bunge even though I had traded barges with them for a couple years prior to then.
Jack always laid his cards out on the table with me and treated me fair and square in every situation we were involved in. He also had a great sense of humor and recalled stories I had long forgotten. He could make you laugh so loud, you had to check yourself at work when he finished a story.
Even though we did not keep up after we both retired, he has always been on my mind. It will haunt me that I did not make a better attempt to remain friends with him.
I don’t know who will read this after so much time has passed, but for the family he left behind, I want you to know that God is Blessing you – He is Blessing you Right Now.