A.P. Vohs

A.P. Vohs of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, left this life on earth for his heavenly home on the 28th of January, 2012, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was the only son of Albert Peter Vohs and Golda Irene Mann Vohs, born on September 6, 1928, in McDonald, Kansas. He was born again on December 18, 1949, in Goodland, Kansas at Calvary Gospel Church. Reared on a farm near Edson, Kansas, he attended elementary and high school in Edson, graduating in 1946. Having rented his first 320 acres of land when he was 14, he continued farming with his dad on a large acreage. He owned and operated a Grade A dairy in addition to farming. Darline Roe from Oberlin, Kansas, moved to Goodland to work in a bank, they met and married a year and one day later on June 15, 1947. Their sons, Evan and Randy, were born while living on a farm near Edson. After he became a Christian he organized and directed Goodland Youth for Christ, holding rallies in various auditoriums on Saturday nights and singspirations on Monday evening in homes. Gideon’s International became a part of his ministry and he was instrumental in organizing the St. Francis, Kansas Camp. In 1952, he answered God’s call to the ministry of the Gospel. They had a farm auction and made the move to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he enrolled in St. Paul Bible College. Their only daughter, Jan, was born the first day he started college. Not being content to go to classes in the morning, studying in the afternoon and working at nights, and sleeping as time allowed, he began ministering as student pastor at Faith Bible Church, in St. Paul, where he was ordained to the ministry in 1955, then became pastor of that church. He graduated from St. Paul Bible College in 1956, earning a diploma in Bible and Theology. Realizing he needed to pursue further education to be able to support his family adequately, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where he became a student at the University of Denver. In 1958, the family moved to Greeley, Colorado, where he attended Northern Colorado University earning his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and later his master’s degree in psychology and guidance. While living in Greeley, he became director of Greeley Youth for Christ, also starting a Sunday School in Big Thompson Canyon below Estes park. His first teaching position other than being a graduate assistant at the University of Denver and Northern Colorado University was at Ione, Colorado, where he was principal and teacher in the upper elementary grades. The family moved to Prairie Village, Kansas, in 1961 where he joined the faculty of Calvary Bible College, serving also as Dean of Men. He began pursuing his doctorate in education at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri. He later completed his Ed.D. in administration and higher education at the University of Arkansas in 1970. Their last move was to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he served at JBU as assistant professor of teacher education, Director of Audio Visuals, Director of Admissions and Supervisor of student teachers. Other places he taught were Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, Oklahoma in the graduate school; Arkansas State College, Conway, Arkansas continuing education classes at the Fayetteville West Campus. He also served as interim principal at the Gravette High School in 1975-76, and principal of the elementary school in 1988-89. He pastored churches in Gravette, Arkansas (First Christian) Bethel and Watts United Methodist Churches in West Siloam Springs and Watts, Oklahoma; Flint Ridge Community Chapel, Oklahoma, Community Church in Climax, Colorado, Grace Bible Church in Siloam Springs and Howe-Savoy Bible Church in Savoy, Arkansas. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Darline of the home; sons Evan Vohs and his wife Dean; Randy Vohs and his wife Connie, both of Siloam Springs; daughter Jan Potter of Siloam Springs; six grandsons, Devin Vohs, and his wife Sandi of Forth Smith, Arkansas, Darren Vohs of Garfield, Aric Potter of Siloam Springs, Nelson Vohs and his wife Betsey, northwest Arkansas, Matthew Vohs and his wife Melanie Fayetteville, Matt Ochoa and wife Amy of Bentonville; three granddaughters, Erin Pashiewicz and husband Ryan, Megan Saliga and husband Tom, Centerton, Mary Mounce and husband Jerrod, Lowell; nine great grandchildren; Haddie and Isaiah Vohs, James Riley and Halee Vohs, Jacob, Molly, and Marcus Mounce, Zane and Zoe Ochoa, and baby Pashewicz; 11 nieces and nephews including Tanya Schimon, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kevin Schimon, Fort Smith; One aunt, Jo Mann, Goodland, Kansas; two brothers-in-law, Bob Schimon, Carrier, Oklahoma, and John Odle, Towanda, Kansas; one god child, Cindy Phillips of Candler, North Carolina; and many other who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elaine Rauscher. He always said his hobby was working. He also loved to read, enjoyed music, playing the piano and organ and helping others, especially telling them about Jesus and why He came to earth, leaving heaven’s glory. A.P. enjoyed the business world and owned the Piano and Organ Studios in Fayetteville for 17 years. He purchased the Bible Bookstore in Siloam Springs in January 1965, and operated it for 40 years with the help of Darline and Jan and others. He was active in civic clubs including Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Ministerial Alliance and serving on the Siloam Springs Planning Commission. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community. A Celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, February2, at First Baptist Church, in Siloam Springs, at 2:00 p.m., The Reverend Gairy Osburn, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, will officiate. Viewing will be Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Following the celebration of life, a reception will be held at the church. A private burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 273. Siloam Springs, AR 72761, or the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund, 700 North Progress Avenue, Siloam Springs, AR 72761. Arrangements are by Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. With Jesus, that’s where he is; far better, that’s how he is. This only partially covers the dash between the dates of his birth and the time of his departure.

Tributes

A.P. Vohs

September 6, 1928 - January 28, 2012