I only recently learned of Mr. Wooten's passing.  He was the best teacher I ever had at West.  I took every class he taught at the time.  During graduate school, I asked him if I could be a guest lecturer for a class one day, and he graciously accepted, although it probably messed up his lesson plans.  During a test in physiology, one question asked what the name of the hole in the heart between the atria of the heart during development was.   I totally blanked.  I knew I had an A on the test even without this question, so I hoped for partial credit from him for creativity and answered "Wooten's Window."  Of course, he laughed and gave me no credit whatsoever for my answer.   The next year, as a lab assistant for him for the same class, he mentioned this during the test on that section and cautioned the students ahead of time that this was not an acceptable answer.  I heard later that, when this test was being given, he would mention this anedote and confess that I was now in medical school.  While that was true, I don't know if he was proud or embarrassed of that fact.  I suspect that it was a little of both.  Rest in peace, Mr. Wooten.  You helped make me the person I am today.  

i love you so much grandpa you are so kind and sweet

i love you so much you are the best grandpa in the world you are so kind and sweet

i love you so much you are the best grandpa

i love you grandpa you are so kind and sweet nevaeh hogde

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH GRANDPA YOU ARE THE BEST

I WILL NEVER FORGET MY GRANDPA HE WAS THE BEST GRANDPA EVER I LOVE HIM SO MUCH NEVAEH HODGE

Mr. Wooten was my teacher at Valley Center. I met him again when he was working for Sears. He was a wonderful teacher. He drove a 1957 Ford, red and white 2 door hardtop. It was a beautiful  car, when he traded it off I bought the car.

I graduated from West High many years ago - in 1973. My Dad called last night to tell me about Mr. Wooten's passing.  I remember Mr. Wooten's brilliance in scientific aspects as well as his ability to make learning fun!  I have pursued a science-based path as a veterinary pathologist and I will always remember  my initial introduction to biology and science - Mr. Wooten played a critical role in this endeavor.

I'll never forget a fun conversation I had with your dad Kathleen, it went something like this: "Kathleen tells me that you have the Egyptian Flu" (I'm sure I had a very puzzling look on my face), and he said "Yes the Egyptian Flu.... you are going to be a mummy!"  I loved that !  He was such a bundle of Joy---If you don't know about Pride and Joy, just ask one of his kids!!!  -------- Debi

Mr. Wooten was my Biology teacher at West. I remember if someone fell asleep in class, he would drop the metal trash can behind or drop a book down beside them on the desk. He made learning fun.

To all who have written in this guest book a big heart felt thank you!  Your words have brought my family lots of great memories of my grandpa.  He was AWESOME!  Even though he wasn't my teacher he taught me a lot about life, how to love, and be happy!!  We will miss him greatly!  Thanks again for taking the time to share your memories with us.

Condolences to the family of Mr. Wooten. He was a teacher at West High; a good man. Later on, I worked with his daughter at AirMidwest Airlines.

Mr. Wooten was my Biology teacher at West High School.  I really do not remember much from school, but I so vividly recall Mr. Wooten.  He was absolutely the best.  With knowledge, kindness, and humor, he made learning memorable and fun.  We all adored him.

Years after high school, I would sometimes see Mr. Wooten working in hardware dept. of Sears.  He always had time to chat, and even remembered the two times I passed-out in his class.  Dissections had that effect on me.:)

I am very sorry for your loss.  I hope that you find some solace in knowing that Mr. Wooten meant so much to so many.

Karen Christensen Schirer

Jack was a like a dad to me and a granddad to my sons. I have missed him since I moved over 20 years ago. I will never forget him and Love him very much.

Mr. Wooten was by far the best teacher I ever had at West High. His classes were always fun yet highly educational. Forty two years later and I can still recall of the cranial nerves of the body by remembering Mr. Wooten's mnemonic memory trick.  "On old Olympus's towering tops, a Finn and German viewed some hops. What a special man. Stuart Kowalski

Jack was truly an amazing man. As I read all the other entries in his guest book it is as no surprise that they almost all begin with "Jack was my teacher, Jack was my favorite teacher..." When I met Jack I was in Junior high and his energy was so amazing to me. When my mom, his niece, told me he was a teacher all I could think of was how much I wish I could have had him for a teacher. I will always remember Jack for his riddles and his energy in life. It is so amazing to know that a part of Jack will live on through the hearts of his students. His legacy goes to truly show the impact a great teacher can have.

To Bernice and the Wooten family,
It was with profound sadness that I heard about the passing of Jack. I truly regret that I never expressed to Jack how much I admired him. He had an amazing energy and zeal for life that I could feel when I was near him. He was always interested in everything and he had a knowledge of so many things. I really enjoyed being around Jack. Years ago when I met Jack, Kathy and I where stuck in Wichita for a week and he and Bernice took us in, entertained us and fed us the whole time. Jack had an infectious smile and laugh. If you didn't like Jack Wooten something was wrong with you. His legacy in life is his family and the students he left behind. The world was truly a better place because Jack lived, and a lesser place because he is gone.

Mr. Wooten was my Science teacher at West High. He made learning so much fun and I always thought of him as  my favorite teacher. I used to go by Sears to see him when he was working there. He was a wonderful person and I know he will be dearly missed.

Mr. Wooten was my Algebra teacher at Maize High School in 1954.  He stayed until 6:00 p.m. to catch me up on 6 weeks of Algebra, as I was a new student.  I respected him as a teacher and as a person of character always!

Mr. Wooten was my Science teacher at Mayberry back in the 60's and I still think of him as one of my favorite teachers. I don't even remember the names of many teachers, but I clearly remember Mr. Wooten, his classroom and the things he taught to his students. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Mr. Wooten was a wonderful teacher. I had him in Biology at West High. Because of him I was inspired to become a nurse. He made biology not only fun but so interesting. I have never forgot his lectures, his jokes and the way he loved teaching us. Thank you Mr. Wooten. Class of 1975

Mr. Wooten was a great teacher.  He was my home room teacher at Mayberry and then we went to high school, he went along with us!  I took every class he taught and proctored for him as a senior.  I always looked for him at Sears during the summer months and saw him many times after graduation.  He inspired me in science and I went on to a degree in Medical Technology because of him.  I am now the Director of Laboratories at Wesley Medical Center.  Thank you, Mr. Wooten.  I will never, ever, forget you!

I was a student of Mr. Wooten when he taught in Valley Center. I consider him one the best teachers I ever had. My condolences to the family. Please take comfort in knowing he had a very positive influence on the lives of many people.

Mr. Wooten was the best teacher I ever had.  I was fortunate to learn from him in two different schools.  He was born to be an educator.  I continue to think of him often.

He was a great teacher and still loved by many of us his students

Jan, I'm sorry for your loss.  Your friend from high school at Valley Center,  Pam Brewster

Mr. Wooten was also my science teacher at West High.  I wasn't interested in Science until I had him as a teacher and then I took every class he offered.  He inspired me so much with making science fun that after graduation I decided to pursue an Environmental Biology Degree and then an Elementary Teaching Degree.  I am now an Elementary Science Teacher with the Wichita School District.  
Some of my favorite memories of him was his picture of his "pride and joy" he always kept in his wallet-a box of pride and a bottle of joy.  The memories he shared of his family like when he put in the new central air and turned it down too low so everyone was freezing during the summer.  The green hot dog one of his daughters ordered from Hardees on Seneca and he graciously gave up his burger and ate the dog only to get sick later.  His wonderful clues on tests such as "its not my problem its urine."  And how I loved to dissect those cats.  I have never forgotten him and he will continue to live each year in the 800 students I teach sharing humor and giving clues on tests.  He will be missed by all who had him, but his memory will live on.  God Bless You all.

I will miss you dad. you were my hero, and still will be. Love ya Jan

He was an amazing teacher who loved students. I saw him 30 years after graduating and he remembered my name. Thank you so much for everything you gave to us. So sorry for the family's loss.

He was a great teacher and he was a wonderful inspiration to many. Thanks for everything  Mr. Wooten

Mr Wooten was one of my favorite teachers at West High.  He made learning fun and was a an excellent teacher.

J.D. Wilson
Class of 1970

Yes, Biology at West High would not have been the same without Mr. Wooten's humor and distinct chuckle. He was such a wonderful teacher.

To Jack's Family.  Jack was my grade school principal at Abilene school in Valley Center.  I met him again when he was working for Sears.  He was a very nice man.  I'm sure you will all miss him greatly.  Jack Jr. was one of my classmates.  May God be with you all.

He was a wonderful teacher!!!  He inspired me to become very interested in science.  Anyone that was fortunate enough to have him as a teacher was blessed!  May you rest in peace with the Lord!

I loved Jack,meh was a teachers teacher!
He made learning fun, had a great since of humor. I even would look him up when I went  sears. Jack my friend you'll be missed!

He was my favorite teacher at West High and developed my love of science. I have never forgotten him and his surprise verbal tests with the "trick" questions! He made school interesting and fun! You've earned your rest, Mr. Wooten. Janie Taylor

My favorite teacher at West High.  He was so funny. I would go up to him at his desk if I had to leave his class early for a event in school.  He would say "Just a minute......",  he would pull out of his pocket a handkerchief and dab his cheeks to pretend he was crying because he jokingly said I was giving a "sob story" when I had to leave class early.  He would laugh while I was laughing with his well known laughing chuckle.   Of course it was okay for me to be excused. He inspired many students and myself to go higher in their education with science.  I am now a registered nurse.  Mr. Wooten will always be remembered as a great teacher by many, I am sure of that.  God bless his soul.

OBITUARY

Jack E Wooten

January 26, 1928 – March 3, 2014

Resthaven Mortuary & Gardens of Memory

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