John “Kris” Gandillon, 70, of Eureka died June 12, 2026. Mr. Gandillon graduated from Gainesville High School in 1974, where he was an honor student, golfer, band member, school photographer and editor-in-chief of The Leopard Tale newspaper. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and public administration from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1982. In 1993, his family moved to Wildwood for his new role at American Technology Corp. A founding member of West County Community Church, he served as an elder, choir member, men’s Bible study leader and AWANA director for seven years. From 2002-2009, he and Sherri served on the staff of Christian Family Day with the St. Louis Cardinals. They have attended Rockwood Bible Church since 2004, where he continued in the choir and occasional Bible teaching. He had a 51-year career in information technology, progressing from programmer to chief information officer. He worked at notable companies, including Texas Oil & Gas, Super Club, Albert Fisher Foods, American Technology, WorkNet, Home Design Alternatives, The Outsource Group, Parallon and Mastercard, from which he retired in 2025. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman and target shooter. He enjoyed golf and bowling and played trumpet, French horn, baritone, drums and dabbled in guitar and piano. He loved Texas A&M Aggie football, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey. He enjoyed cooking and, above all, spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Born Jan. 12, 1956, in Gainesville, Texas, he was the son of the late Mary Sue Demory Gandillon and Charles D. “Buddy” Gandillon Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sherri Kay Brown Gandillon of Eureka, whom he married on June 4, 1976; three sons: Joe Gandillon of Anna, Texas, Jeff (Becky) Gandillon of Fenton and John (Lindsey) Gandillon of Ellisville; six grandchildren: Tatum, Roan, Edie, Lou, Bella and Ollie; a brother: Charles D. “Chuck” (Kathy Barnes) Gandillon of Tyler, Texas; a brother-in-law: Ronny (Paula) Brown; two nieces: Kristin (Wayne) Hanks of Austin, Texas, and Dee Ann (Mark) Abner; a nephew: Dr. Collin (Lauren Jo) Gandillon, MD, of Lubbock, Texas, Donnie (Vickie) Watson and Daryl (Tammy) Watson; three cousins: Dee Blanton and Gayle Blanton-Elliott of Gainesville, Texas, and Kay Stevens-Price of Fort Worth, Texas; and many other family members and friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until a celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at The Journey West County, 625 North Meramec Station Road, in Manchester. A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, in Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, Texas. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory in Eureka.