Jeffery T. Kline

The world lost a bright mind and big personality on August 24th when Jeff Kline passed away after a brave battle with end-stage heart failure. Until the end, Jeff felt he led a charmed life, despite its brevity.

It all started with the unconditional love of his amazing parents, Gary and Shirley, who created a beautiful family life and instilled important values such as honesty, integrity and hard work into Jeff and his sister Kim. Jeff shared a special big brother-little sister bond with Kim, defined by typical sibling rivalry and more importantly, abiding love.

Gary and Shirley loved Jeff with unending patience through the many shenanigans and capers of a life lived out loud. They always had his back through the string of car accidents that drove their insurance sky high, a series of completely unnecessary recreational injuries, and the time he set his own hair on fire after deciding the best way to get rid of a pile of raked leaves was to douse it with lighter fluid and toss in a match.

Jeff felt he had a truly magical childhood shaped by Shirley, Gary and Kim and punctuated with great memories of visiting Lake Wawasee and Syracuse, Indiana with his beloved Grandparents and extended family. Despite being a well-traveled person, Syracuse and Lake Wawasee would remain one of Jeff’s very favorite places on earth because of all the memories it held for him – especially living for a summer with Harold and Alice and working as Harold’s carpenter apprentice, and then later in life introducing his beloved Tommy and Livvy to the Lake.

As the son of a math teacher, it was not surprising that Jeff was whip-smart and could do long division in his head. He shone brightly in high school at Wheaton North, where he played baseball and golf, made many great friends, and in true character, got up to much mischief.

Jeff’s college years at the University of Illinois were a spectacular highlight of his life. It was here that he forged lifelong friendships, connections, and had many hijinks with his Phi Delt brothers and other true friends. The friendships Jeff made in college are still with him today, marked by decades of wonderful memories together. In his last few months, Jeff was sustained by their many visits and support.

Jeff earned a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Illinois and became a talented engineer. He was proud to work for V3 for the last 25+ years, a company that gave him endless support and opportunities.

Jeff was a gifted athlete, fierce competitor and admitted hothead. He was a self-taught double black diamond skier, he dominated the fantasy football and baseball leagues he was a part of, and he was a scratch golfer. Anyone who golfed with Jeff in the last decade knows that he had a unique approach to golf characterized by speed, aggressiveness, shouting, yelling, swearing and many thrown and shattered clubs. He loved every minute of it.

A lifelong dog lover, Jeff truly never met a dog that he didn’t love. He was blessed during his life to experience mutual adoration with Pepper, Buddy, Scooby, Gracie, and the most recent keeper of his heart, his beloved Cubby, who gave him the best gentle kisses ever.

Jeff had a fantastic sense of humor. When he met his wife, Kathy, one of the things that she instantly loved about him was how funny he was. Jeff kept Kathy laughing, through good times and bad, for 30+ years with that wicked sense of humor. Jeff could find humor in almost any situation. Even in the hospital, towards the end of his life, Jeff had doctors, nurses and visitors laughing out loud with his fierce wit.

Jeff spent thousands of hours coaching youth soccer, basketball, and especially softball & baseball in River Forest. So much so that many parents and former players refer to him as Coach Kline to this day. He loved being able to teach young players ball skills and they surely got tired of hearing his favorites such as: keep your head down on your swing, get your butt and glove down when fielding a grounder, and don’t get fancy just throw strikes. He also loved teaching important life lessons, such as being as gracious in victory as in defeat, always having your teammates’ backs, and showing respect to your coaches and umps, even when you disagree with them.

In the end, Jeff’s very favorite role he played in his life was being a father to Tommy and Livvy. He loved them both beyond all reason from the moment they took their first breaths to the moment Jeff took his last. Tommy and Livvy were the true loves and treasures of Jeff’s life. As babies, toddlers and younger children, he approached them with a sweet protectiveness and never ever got tired of building Legos, setting up elaborate Hot Wheels tracks, or playing endless hours of Polly Pockets and Barbie Dream House. As they reached young adulthood, Jeff marveled at what wonderful human beings they had become (he was right). He was so proud of his kids, and right up until the end, Jeff’s favorite thing in the world to do was spend time in Tommy and Livvy’s company.

We love you and miss you already and always, Jeff. Until we meet again, we will carry you with us in our hearts.

Visitation will be held for Jeff on Friday, September 19th from 4:00-8:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Anti-Cruelty Society in Jeff’s memory.