JOHN GIVEN RUFENACHT

High style designer, passionate gardener, astute entrepreneur, devoted lover of life, friends, family, his dog Lamar and the color red, John Given Rufenacht passed peacefully at home on June 27, 2026. And the design world sighed at the loss of a giant personality.

Born June 4, 1946, the only son of Helen and John Given Rufenacht, he was raised on the family farm near Lowry City, Missouri. John took from his idyllic upbringing a lifelong love of the land, the harmony of living things and the inherent beauty of nature.

His early years of schooling were in a classic, one-room schoolhouse where it was instilled in him that cooperation is perhaps the most important lesson of a well-lived life. He went on to Lowry City high school and to what is now the University of Central Missouri, where he earned his degree in Interior Design and Decorative Arts.

John’s first job in his chosen profession was in Dallas at the highly regarded Weston’s store in upscale Highland Park. He would later describe his years there as the best professional apprenticeship a curious country boy could ever hope for.

His new life in the world of design was interrupted when his father suffered a major health setback and John returned to the family farm to help. Once his father was back on his feet, John decided he was ready to be on his; he established his first business, a design studio in Sedalia, Missouri.

After a few years of smalltown success, he decided to move up the road, joining the newly established Visual Merchandising Department at Hall’s Crown Center in Kansas City.  Again, John regarded this experience as uniquely invaluable in guiding his talents and forming his lifelong professional insights.

In 1983, John partnered with Beverly McFerrin to found John Rufenacht Associates, a creative venture that flourished for more than 40 years, even after Bev’s passing. John also founded Rufenacht Interiors and through these two firms developed a reputation for balancing impeccable taste and grand flourishes into discoveries that would become the personal extension of a client’s uniqueness. The homes and lives he influenced with his vision were not just in his native Midwest but also in places like Houston, Dallas, Pebble Beach, Aspen, Naples, Cayman Islands and beyond.

John was a devoted patron of the arts and took great joy in supporting and attending the ballet, the symphony, the opera and his beloved Crescendo. His love of the fine arts was an affirmation of his lifelong experiences rooted in those early farm days, an innate appreciation and love of nature, beauty, harmony and shared experience.

Among John’s public accomplishments were helping start Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) and creating Dining by Design, an event combining high design and gracious dining toward the goal of fighting AIDS. John, an original table designer, viewed the event as a perfect amalgamation of art, design, community and meaningful service. DIFFA has since become one of the nation’s leading organizations serving people affected by AIDS, awarding millions to the fight. Dining by Design grew from its Kansas City origin into a national fundraising initiative. John was justifiably proud of his untiring organizational and creative efforts.

Gardening was John’s other great passion. His upbringing instilled in him a deep and abiding love of nature and his acute visual sensibility made him want to improve on the natural in any way he could.

At the Kansas City 3 East Garden he gave his passion full reign and generously shared his efforts by hosting numerous classes, tours and likeminded groups. And at his country home named Evening Place, he realized a lifelong dream with his husband-for-life Richard. Together, they conceived, designed and built a collection of European inspired buildings including the Tower House, garden library, chapel, guest suite and an English greenhouse surrounding a congenial courtyard. In later years they added a recreated gypsy wagon as a whimsical guest retreat.

John’s distinctive perspective and high sense of style are reflected in two quotes attributed to him. It is said he said, “Red is the only true neutral” and “Perfection is boring.” But he didn’t just talk such things, he lived them. Neutral or vibrant, red was the color of his life in all its glorious imperfections, dullness his sworn enemy.

It's interesting that his middle name, given by his father, is Given. Because he was always the giver, never the taker. It was his great and gracious way of navigating a life, well-lived, to say the least.

John is survived by his partner and husband of 28 years, Richard Lara, his brother-in-law, Ruben Lara, a large extended family of cousins and dear friends, who were always made to feel like family. Oh, and Lamar, simply “the best dog in the world.”

A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 11 East 40th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend as you celebrate his remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, John requested that memorial contributions be made to the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Powell Gardens, or a local animal shelter. He would also be honored if friends planted something beautiful in their own gardens in his memory.

Thank you for celebrating John's remarkable life and for the love, friendship, and kindness you shared with him throughout the years. May his memory continue to inspire beauty, creativity, and joy in all who knew him.

With love and gratitude,

Richard Lara and Family