May 9, 1935 until December 6, 2020
Kaye B. Pearce passed on December 6th, 2020 at his home in Bella Vista, Arkansas, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 9, 1935, in Miltonvale, Kansas, the son of Bertice and Meta Pearce. He graduated from Central High School and Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. He served for 13 years in the Army National Guard.
He dedicated his career of 39 years to the kids of Kansas as a teacher, athletic director, football, track, and basketball coach and as a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association. He served the Association as Administrative Assistant, Director and retired as Executive Director in 1996. Other professional positions included: NFHS Football Rules Committee for 20 years, serving as the chair the last four years; two terms on the NFHS Track & Field Rules Committee; Board of Directors for the Sunflower State Games; and Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina, KS) Board of Trustees. For many years following his retirement, he served as the KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet referee.
Kaye was inducted into the Salina Central High School Hall of Fame (Coach), the Kansas Wesleyan University Hall of Fame (Football, Basketball) and the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame (Administrator).
Kaye stood for sportsmanship, fairness and a level playing field for everyone. He gave generously of his time, going the extra mile to assure success. He had a reputation as an excellent leader who truly cared about his profession, treating everyone with respect, having an open-door policy, listening to all problems and making firm but fair decisions. He had enormous respect for the officials and referees. The many coaches, players, officials and administrators he met and worked with were a source of enjoyment and treasured friendships over the decades.
He loved serving the Lord at First Presbyterian Church in Salina, Kansas; the University United Methodist Church of Topeka, Kansas; and the Bella Vista Community Church in Arkansas. Kaye served as a Sunday school teacher, head usher, and on the church Foundation Boards.
He liked to tell people that on his 51st birthday he got a wife, four kids and four grandkids when he married Barbara Bauer in 1986 in Versailles, Missouri. It was there that they met on the golf course. He had many names and titles, but his favorite was Paw Paw K. He loved camping, swimming, woodworking and golf. He was very proud of his two holes in one. He loved watching sports on tv, reading, hearing his daughters sing and playing games with the kids. He enjoyed traveling, making new friends, visiting old friends, hearing from former students, athletes, coaches, officials and classmates.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertice and Meta Pearce of Salina, Kansas; his sister Colleen and husband Keith Mueller of Versailles, Missouri; and his son and golf buddy Bret Bauer of Willard, Missouri.
Kaye is survived by his wife Barbara Pearce, their daughters: Bobbi and husband Gray Birdsong, Jefferson City, Missouri; Beth Bauer; Barrie and husband Kent Bales all of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Daughter-in-law Dana Mallory, Battlefield, Missouri.
Grandchildren: Lindsey, Nicholas, Oliver, Michael and Stacey. Great-Grandchildren: Haley, Holden, Alexxis, Austin, Andrew and William.
Sister-in-laws Susan and husband Paul White; Kathy and husband Kenneth Coffman all of Versailles, Missouri; He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Kaye had a private cremation. Memorials may be made to Kansas Wesleyan University Athletic Department in Salina, Kansas, or to the Music Department at Bella Vista Community Church of Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista, Arkansas. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com