Jack L. Kane

Jack Leroy Kane, 87, passed away gently on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Dorina’s Adult Family Home Care. He traveled far and wide, driven by the love of learning and getting to know all people and all walks of life. He was creative, always positive, a dream maker and committed to family, bringing out the best in everyone he met. He lived a life of service and love, treating everyone with kindness. His joy of living overflowed in his smile. 

Born January 1, 1938 in Wichita, Kansas, he was the son of the late Pauline (Parks) and Maury Kane.  Jack met Ellen, his wife of 36 years, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and they married on April 15, 1989 in Escondido, California.

Jack graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California in 1956 then served in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, Washington for 2 years, volunteering for the draft. He received his BA in Sociology, his MS in Recreation Administration, and even completed Doctoral work. Jack was certified in Fundraising and Financial Planning. He worked full time while studying for his degrees and raised three sons with his first wife, Denise (Jackson) of 25 years. His career included leadership positions in the YMCA in both California and Texas. He raised funds for several hospitals in both the Chicago and San Diego areas. Jack volunteered his time to the YMCA of Escondido and San Diego receiving the Golden Triangle of Distinguished Service Award for his efforts. He also generously assisted his wife, Ellen, throughout her career as an educator. 

Jack established a travel agency while living in Chicago. He explored over 100 countries and all 50 states by land and water during his lifetime, many on his own and some with Ellen. Jack expressed himself through poetry and loved the music of Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Celine Dion, and Josh Groban. He was quite a card shark and enjoyed all sorts of games from cribbage to hearts, and poker to spoons. Jack also loved sports and played both basketball and tennis. He was a proud owner of one share of stock for the Green Bay Packers football team and attended as many basketball, baseball, and football games as possible wherever he lived including local, state, and national teams. 

He was happiest when surrounded by his wife, Ellen, and family both immediate and extended. Jack thoroughly enjoyed time spent interacting with his children and grandchildren over the years. He listened to, showed up, and supported their dreams and aspirations completely. He experienced such joy in their happiness. Jack has the distinction of visiting the happiest place on earth, Disneyland Resort, on opening day in 1955. Many family excursions ensued over the years. His last trip to Wisconsin by train was truly an adventure; and he will always be remembered as a brave explorer of the world and of life, accepting gracefully the help he needed along the way.

We are so grateful for the love and care with which Jack has touched our lives. Thank you dear friends, neighbors, and family; as well as PeaceHealth Southwest Hospice and Dorina’s Adult Family Home Care for your service, healing grace, and support during Jack’s final act of living.

Jack is survived by his wife Ellen (Propson) of Vancouver, Washington; his son, Kent (Eliza) Kane of Orlando, Florida; and his daughter-in-law Joan (Sowa) of Gurnee, Illinois.

Jack is also survived by his grandchildren Kyle Kane of Round Lake Heights, Illinois and Kira Kane of Kissimmee, Florida.

He is further survived by his mother-in-law Rosemary Propson and stepmother Eugenia Kane; his brother-in-law Keith Propson; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Mary (Thomas) Spaeth, Lori (Joseph) Krause, Lisa (Matthew) Schaefer, Lynn (Kenneth) Van Oss, Debra (Eric) Iverson, and Patricia Propson; and his godson’s Jerod Spaeth and Isaac Schaefer as well as goddaughter’s Alyssa (Propson) Eaton and Emma Iverson. He is survived as well by many nieces, nephews, and relatives.  In addition Jack is survived by lifelong loving friends who supported him until his last days.

Jack was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Denise (Jackson); his brother, Don; his sons, Kraig and Karl; his grandson, Kevin; his father-in-law, Norbert Propson; his nephews Nicholas Iverson and Lucas Van Oss; and his parents.

To honor Jack, please make a contribution to your favorite charity and continue to live your life to the fullest. Learn something new, take the time to be kind, listen, and smile at everyone you meet.

In Jack’s spirit of giving, his body has been donated to the Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, then cremation with interment at Willamette National Cemetery, Happy Valley, Portland, Oregon.

A private celebration of life is planned in Wisconsin in the Fall.