Alumni Obituary – Jerome Kane (Jerry) Fithian

Jerome Kane (Jerry) Fithian entered the arms of his Loving Savior on Dec. 29, 2023. Jerry, son of L. Boyd & Inez Bertha (Grapenthin) Fithian, was born June 6, 1951, in Denver and joined sister, Janet, and soon to be (10 months later!), sister, Joann, in their Montclair area home.

Jerry’s faith walk was diligently woven throughout his growing up years but came to fruition his freshman year in college. He was very involved in Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) in junior high and high school but was challenged with a personal relationship with Jesus by his college roommate. Through his mentorship and Campus Crusade for Christ, Jerry gave his heart, soul, and mind to Jesus and began his lifelong adventure walking with Christ.

While Jerry was in the second grade, the family relocated to Broomfield, CO where he would graduate from Broomfield High School in 1969. Being part of two state-qualifying basketball teams (winning it all in 1967!) was among the many highlights of his high school years.  Jerry continued his education at Colorado State College (renamed University of Northern Colorado in spring 1970), playing three years for the mighty Bears basketball team, before earning his BA degree in 1974. He received his MA degree from Emporia State University in 1995.

Jerry’s first teaching and coaching position was in Estes Park, CO. After two marvelous learning years at Estes Park High School, Jerry was recruited by acquaintances made at Northern Colorado to leave his native state and venture to Central College in McPherson, KS where he taught various business courses and was the assistant men’s basketball coach. He would remain at Central Christian College of Kansas in various teaching and coaching capacities until retiring in July 2012. In September, Jerry joined the fun ‘helpful hardware folks’ at Graber’s ACE Hardware, remaining for nine years. Other ‘joyous jobs’ included Sunday School teacher/usher (Free Methodist Church), bus driver (USD 418), part-time accountant (McPherson Travel), adjunct instructor (Hutchinson CC), real estate agent (Randy Flickinger & Assoc), finance manager (Wallace Chevrolet), restaurant server (Perkins), radio broadcaster (KNGL/KBBE), and, one of his favorites, city trolley driver (McPherson CVB).

He met his ‘green-eyed lady’, Carol E. Kane, while a dormitory Resident Assistant in fall 1970. They would marry June 9, 1973. To this 50-year union were born two children: daughter, Jamie Noel, and son, Jordan Kane, who brought their delightful spouses, Justin and Jennifer to the family mix. Grandchildren Charlotte Mae Elizabeth Fithian and Jackson Thomas Fithian were behind the ever-present twinkle in Jerry’s eye.

Jerry cherished spending time with all of his relatives and many friends, including his men’s prayer and Bible study groups. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing, coaching, officiating, and broadcasting basketball. He also enjoyed water and snow skiing, golfing, bowling, card and game playing, traveling, dining out, putting together puzzles, solving brainteasers, and just ‘hangin’ out’.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, January 12, 2024, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  There will be a Celebration of Life service at the McPherson Free Methodist Church, 1010 South Maple, McPherson, KS at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Cremation has been chosen with final inurnment in McPherson Cemetery.

To view a livestream broadcast of the service, please click on this link:  https://macfmc.org/live-stream

Survivors include his wife, Carol of McPherson; daughter Jamie Long (Justin) of Ramona, OK; son Jordan Fithian (Jennifer) and grands Charlotte and Jackson of Concord, NH; sister Joann Vollmer (Denny) of Evans, CO; 4 nephews, 2 nieces, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd & Inez; a half-brother, James Fithian; a sister, Janet Fithian; and his parents-in-law, Allen and Lucille “Sally” (Simpson) Kane.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Christian College of Kansas, McPherson Free Methodist Church, or McPherson Family YMCA in Jerry’s name, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.