Jack Eugene McKain

Jack was an only child, adopted by Jessie and Samuel McKain. His birth name was Harry John French his birth mother’s name was Louise Belle Smith. He learned late in life that he had a sister and half-brother. He was always grateful to be adopted and very touched to have received information about his birth family just a few months ago.

He loved horses from a young age. His first horse at the age of 5 was named Duke “Dukey”. His family followed the rodeo circuit when he was a boy and he trick road with his horse Painted Lady, breaking his front tooth in the process. He even had a cameo in a Gene Autry Western “The Big Show.”

He played drums in a Jazz band as a young man and had a lifetime love of music.

Remarkably, Jack earned his pilot’s license at age 16. He served honorably in the Navy during the Korean War from 1951-1955. Later, Jack flew for Civil Air Patrol (CAP) with the rank of 1st Lt. (Maxwell Air Force Base) and enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes.

He loved sports, especially his Kansas City Chiefs, KC Royals and KU Jayhawks. He made arguing at the TV a new art form. Jack loved good Scotch.

He always set his watch precisely to Greenwich mean time.

The first house Jack and Ruth that lived in was literally “the house that Jack built.”

Working for Wilcox Electric as a young man, he told a story of being in Colorado Springs. Keeping it short, not many of us can say we have been inside NORAD.

Most of his life he worked for T.V. stations, primarily in Kansas City, Wichita, Colorado and Juno Alaska, which included: installing strobe lighting on Channel 5 TV tower, building of two facilities and converting T.V. stations to digital.

Jack was a life member of the Delaware Masonic Blue Lodge, 32nd degree, the Scottish Rite, and the Ararat Shrine Temple.

Jack was Past President of the SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers), a member of the SMPTE (Society of Broadcast Engineers, member of the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) and enjoyed his experiences with Ham Radio with the call sign “K0LVX”.

He had his BS as Electrical Engineer. He started at KU but due to the Korean War he could not complete his studies, but later did, bit by bit. Years later, the VFW reviewed up his records and coordinated with the KU administration. Jack was so pleased when KU presented him with an authentic diploma dated as of 1959. In addition, Jack earned his MBA at 75 years of age.

Jack ended his career working with T.V. stations on the equipment side of the business until retiring at the age of 79 years of age.

The last few years, Jack was a member of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City. This year, he expanded his world by buying a 8” telescope.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Ruth Antoinette, daughter Julie Antoinette and her husband Paul Joseph Schleicher, his two grandson’s Thomas Charles and Jonathan Paul. He was blessed to have many dear friends and colleagues.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, October 18 at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.

Jack always was exploring, learning, interested in life and all its wonders. We all have been fortunate to share in all his endeavors whether it be business or leisure.

Jack was kind, engaging, caring, intelligent, humorous, curious, talkative, welcoming, passionate and he had an overwhelming positivity for life and for all who knew him.