James L (Jim) McKain, 84, was born Sept 28, 1935, to Wesley A. and M. Aletha (Somers) McKain and passed away May 15, 2020. He graduated from Tescott High School in 1953. Jim was united in marriage Feb. 1, 1957, to Janet Schur. They moved to Salina in 1960. Jim graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University of Salina with a Bachelor’s in Education and from Kansas State University with a Master’s in Education.
He was a farmer, little league baseball coach and worked in the warehouse at the Montgomery Ward store before his daughters were born.
Jim loved kids….
He taught elementary school for USD 305 Salina for 27 years retiring in 1995. He had a combination 4th, 5th and 6th grade class at Parsons Elementary until it was closed, and then joined Whittier School as a 4th grade teacher until his retirement.
Jim and his wife, Janet, also volunteered at The Church of the Cross nursery for both Sunday services as well as bell and choir practices on Wednesdays for many years. They spent many hours caring for infants to age 5 or older every week for these events.
Jim was a co-founder, along with the late Stuart “Vick” Vickroy, of the band The Country Playboys who, in their younger days played dances all over the state of Kansas, and entertained at local area nursing homes as a time to practice … When they retired from doing dances, he and many musicians continued to play at local nursing homes under the name The Country Playboys until he decided it was time to retire from being “the boss”. He turned the reins over to his daughter Valorie and along with more musicians became Gabby and the Guys and continued to play until 2018– Jim played music at nursing homes as a part of these two groups for over 50 years.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Janet, his parents and an infant brother.
He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands Valorie McKain and Max Pfrang of Manhattan; Victoria McKain and John Schafer of Rosalia; and a special family - Bruce and Katie Fast of Salina and their children Luke, Sarah and Paul.
Jim is also survived by in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins; the many children he taught, coached or cared for and the staff and residents of McCall Manor.
Cremation has been chosen. There will be no visitation.
Memorial services will be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alex’s House, a dog rescue run by Vicki and John, in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402 or online at their website
Alexshouse.org.