Jerry Wayne Jefferis

Jerry Wayne Jefferis, 82, of Paola, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home on March 20, 2024. Jerry was born January 14, 1942, in Moran, Kansas to Leonard Earl and Bertha (Flutz) Jefferis.

He grew up in Moran, Kansas and attended Moran elementary and high school. He graduated with the class of 1960. While in high school he was an outstanding football player for the Moran Wild Cats. After high school he was invited to play football for Coffeyville Junior College, but he chose to stick closer to home. He attended Iola Junior College, which at the time did not have a football team. After the first semester he dropped out of school to pursue a job at Sleeper Furniture Store in Iola to be able to make money to continue his education. During 9 years on the job, he returned to school at Iola, which was then known as Allen County Community College. He continued his education there and graduated in 1967, by taking night classes. He attended Emporia State Teachers College. While working full time he was on the President’s and Deans honor roll.

In 1969, after graduation, he married the love of his life, his wife Kathleen. They started their careers as teachers for the USD #367 Osawatomie Public Schools. He was instrumental in helping create the junior high football program, which was known as the Bull Dogs and later as the Junior Trojans. He taught and coached for 30 years. They won many games in the Pioneer League. He was a very caring coach, he treated his students like his own family. He also coached basketball both boys and girls, at one point, as well as helped at track meets when he was needed.

Teaching 7th grade science and coaching sports were his passion. He loved teaching his junior high students, every day. In his spare time, he loved to garden and work in his garage, building furniture for his family and friends. Towards the end of his life, he made craft items for his doctors and nurses to show his appreciation for the care they gave him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Colleen Bagnal.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathleen of the home; two sons and two grandsons, Wayne (Melanie) and Gage Jefferis of Valrico, Florida and Darin (Marianne) and Gunnar Jefferis of Paola, Kansas; two brothers Rollin (Darlen) Jefferis of Spring Hill, Kansas and James (Shirley) Jefferis of Moran Kansas and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Osawatomie Food Pantry or Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary, Miami County c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 305 N Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071.