John Stubbs

John Townsend Stubbs of Topeka, Kansas was the son of Josephine and Stephen Stubbs. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 4, 1941, and passed away after a brief illness on July 16, 2026. John graduated from Pembroke Country Day School (now Pembroke Hill), Princeton University and received his MBA from the University of Kansas. Soon after college, John met his future wife and love of his life, Carol Brock, and they were married in 1968. John’s career was the car business and he and Carol lived in Jacksonville, Florida and Ottawa, Kansas before he purchased Topeka Nissan. John was a respected and successful businessman. He loved the car business and spent over 50 years doing what he loved. He was an active member of the North Topeka Business Alliance and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. John was active with Princeton University fund raising as well as interviewing future students interested in attending Princeton. He also contributed his time and talent to The Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka where his wife Carol, was the Director. John loved cars and airplanes. He began driving at 14 and had his pilot’s license by the time he was 18. At Princeton he was active in the Flying Club. He later purchased his own plane and piloted it into his 70’s. He enjoyed his Sunday evenings with his fellow pilots, The Bums, at the Billard Airport. John was a former member of The Kansas City Country Club and a current member of the Topeka Country Club. John and Carol loved animals and adopted many over the years. At times they had three or four dogs. Never without a canine friend, he adopted Lucy just a few years ago. John is survived by his sister, Stephanie Tinsley and her husband, Jerry; his sister-in-law, Margie Brock and her husband Gerald; his nephews and their wives, Stephen and Kristin Pillsbury, Brian and Carrie Pillsbury, and Kevin Pillsbury. He is also survived by Tara Schiffelbein, who was like a daughter to John; and his friend, Jenny Elliott, who was of continued support and help to him the past several years. John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Carol. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The Helping Hands Humane Society, in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 30th at 11:00 at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th Street, Topeka.

John Stubbs

March 4, 1941 - July 16, 2026