John Felker, who made it his mission to make sure area elementary students could experience a live performance, received one last thank you from the kids he helped.

A display at his funeral today included a variety of awards he received and a banner from grade schoolers that said, “Thank you Mr. Felker for all you’ve done for us.”

John founded and stewarded Performing Arts for Youth for 30 years before turning it over to the Commmunity Foundation, supported by a permanent endowment fund. The program arranged live performances of music, theater, poetry and storytelling for students from 10 area school districts. He died on Sept. 27, his 93rd birthday.

Tell a friend about The Loop.