Former coach and educator Jack Kilday passed away Saturday at age 88
Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Services provided the following obituary:
Mr. Jack Benson Kilday 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Jack was born on June 22, 1935.
Jack was well known as an educator, coach, principal, farmer, outdoorsman, athlete, and most importantly, “Pa Jack”, to his grandchildren, Ben and Kristen Dixon. Jack had a significant impact on many of his students and ball players. He delighted in the many calls and visits from former players and students.
He was a retired educator that received his Bachelor of Business Degree from Tusculum College (now Tusculum University), a Master’s Degree from Union College, and an EDS from ETSU.
In his younger years, he was a talented pitcher for the local semi pro Magnavox baseball team which made several trips to the National Baseball Congress Tournament in Wichita Kansas throughout the 1960’s.
He may be best remembered as a fiercely competitive girls and boys basketball coach at Chuckey-Doak, North Greene, Ottway, and Doak Elementary Schools. He was inducted as a Chuckey-Doak High School Knights of Legend. Following his 25 years teaching and coaching, he continued his career in supervisory roles as Assistant Principal and Principal of Chuckey-Doak High School.
Jack was an enthusiastic supporter of Tusculum College and its alumni activities. He has many lifelong friends from the university and enjoyed playing and winning golf tournaments with his friends. In 1989, he was inducted into the Tusculum College Sports Hall of Fame.
He was a member of Army Reserve from 1957 to 1963. He served in the United States Army Artillery Division.
One of his favorite pastimes was farming. He and Nancy’s gardens were enjoyed by the entire community. He took great joy in being able to share the fruits of his labor with everyone.
Another one of the great joys in his life was being part of the congregation of Mt. Zion Church of Afton and leading the Mt. Zion Men’s Class. He enjoyed greeting and spending time with people at the Saturday Breakfasts that were hosted by the church.
Jack has battled poor health over the last 3 years. During this time, he was an inspiration to his family with his fighting spirit and will to win.
Jack is survived by his wife of 66 years: Nancy Self Kilday, his two daughters and their spouses: Kim and Chris Dixon, Pam Kilday and Daphney Glass; two grandchildren: Ben and Kristen Dixon; a sister: Carol Kilday Jones; a sister in law: Virginia Self Waddell; one niece: Lori Ann and Russell Renner; one nephew Eric and Amanda Waddell; two great nieces: Emma Kate Waddell, Emily (Bronson) Dean; one great nephew: Brandon (Cabriella) Waddell; and one great, great nephew Grady Dean. Extended family: Vanessa Calabrese, James McAfee, Steve Painter, Bobby (Meredith) Broyles, Jimmy (Jeanne) Sauceman
Jack was preceded in death by his parents: Bruce and Leo Kilday; two brothers in law: Phillip Jones and Darwyn Waddell.
Visitation will be 2-7 pm Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Jeffers Funeral Chapel at Afton. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 1pm in the funeral home chapel with the interment to follow in Fairview CP Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Steve Painter, James McAfee, Ben Dixon, Dennis Russell, Carneil Manuel and Chris Dixon. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Broyles, Jimmy Sauceman, Ted Wilhoit, Ralph Horne, Dave Ridenour, Bud Cox, Jerome Woolsey, Russell Renner, Eric Waddell, Mount Zion Men’s Class, and all former players.
Special thanks to neighbors: Rick and Jesse Solomon, Bart, Judy and John Reviere, and Dennis Russell, Ryanne Kilday.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mt. Zion Men’s Class or Tusculum College Athletics Department.
