Thomas Kerns

Thomas Lewis Kerns was born on November 29, 1933 in Marion, Iowa, and, after a long, beautiful life, passed away on May 25, 2024. Tom was a retired Fort Hays State University professor, and prior to teaching at Fort Hays, Tom coached a variety of sports and taught at Ferris State University. Tom was an avid outdoorsman and a true family man.

After growing up in Marion, Iowa, Tom graduated from Utah State University where he was a scholarship student and star Utah State football running back. Soon after graduation from Utah State, Tom was drafted by the National Football League’s Baltimore Colts. Unfortunately for the Colts (and fortunately for all Baltimore Colts’ opponents) days after the Colts selected him in the NFL draft, Tom was drafted by the United States Army. Tom proudly served his country with the 10th Mountain Division and was stationed near Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Tom once again attended Utah State to obtain his Masters Degree, then the University of Utah in Logan, Utah, for his Doctorate.

On February 16, 1962 Tom married his soul mate Carol Ann Greider in Ogden, Utah. They then moved to Oregon City, Oregon to teach and coach at the secondary school level, and then Tom was recruited by Ferris State University, in Big Rapids, Michigan, to create and develop the University’s first wrestling program, which quickly became a known and respected powerhouse nationally. While being a talented athlete, teacher, and mentor, in addition to being Ferris State University’s head wrestling coach, Tom also was an assistant football, tennis, and track coach there, while he also taught a variety of student classes at the University.

Tom and Carol then decided to take their talents to the Midwest, and Tom was recruited by Fort Hays State University’s athletic director (and fellow University of Utah classmate) to become Fort Hays State’s Physical Education and Recreation Professor until Tom’s retirement. Tom and Carol then headed west and became fixtures in the Colorado mountains of Woodland Park.

While raising his children, Tom loved spending time with family, always made time to play catch with his boys and encourage his girl, was a dedicated fisherman, and hiked and camped throughout the West. Tom and Carol also travelled the world. Together, with the catch of his life, Tom and Carol travelled to Alaska a myriad of times and loved their outdoor experience there the most.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carol, his four children: Maryann, Kent, Kurt, and John, and a plethora of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live all over the country.