JOHN J. KANE III
July 5, 1947–Feb. 27, 2022
John J. Kane III passed away Feb. 27, 2022, at Four Corners, Wyo. He was 74 years old.
John was born July 5, 1947, to John J. Kane II (Jack) and Z. Helen Kane in Hot Springs, S.D. He graduated from Edgemont High School in 1966 and went on to graduate from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
On April 3, 1971, John married Diane D. Wing in Edgemont. They raised two children, John James IV (J.J.) and Jasmin Nicole.
John and Diane lived in Hot Springs, Brookings, S.D., Topeka, Kan., Kansas City, Kan., Dallas, Texas, Rapid City, S.D., Herndon, Va., and Gillette, Wyo. While in Dallas, John acquired his Professional Engineering License. Over the years, John worked for state, federal, and private entities, and in 1991 he started his own construction/engineering company (Wyoming Materials and Improvement, Inc.) in Gillette, which he operated until 2005. He continued to work in the construction industry until 2013 when he retired. Upon retirement he resided in a home he and Diane built in the Black Hills of Wyoming. He enjoyed trap shooting, golf, fly fishing, hiking/camping, gardening, woodworking, photography — and above all else, his grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, J.J. (Amy) and Jasmin (Eric Freeman); his grandchildren, Jack Kane, Ari Kane, Mason Freeman, and Venna Freeman; his brothers, Brian Kane (Patti Roselle) and Dan Kane (Rondi Stratton); his sisters, Kathy Amt (Marty-deceased) and Connie Howell (Jack); and his in-laws, Carol VanCleave (Robert), Jane Ann Henderson (Dave-deceased), and Duane Wing (Moneic); and many special nephews, nieces, family members, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Helen; his father-in-law, Duane; his mother-in-law, LaVerna; and several close relatives and friends.
To celebrate his life, a vigil and eulogy will be held March 7 at 4 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Newcastle, Wyo. The following morning at 10 a.m. a funeral mass will be held, also at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with a luncheon to follow.
John was a faithful man of high integrity who used the Ten Commandments and The Beatitudes as the guiding compass for the way he lived his life and for the decisions he made. He dedicated his life to leading others, and with genuine compassion and mentorship, he changed a great many lives. His family said, “John knew how to work hard, but he also knew how to play hard and found numerous ways to create fun in all that he did. He left a legacy of impressions on the many lives he touched.”
A memorial has been established in John’s name to benefit the nonprofit Hopeful Deeds Foundation, giving financial assistance to people who wish to grow their family through adoption and also to assist the elderly with dental, hearing, and vision needs; care of P.O Box 595, Newcastle, WY 82701.
John’s ashes will be buried at the Boyd Cemetery near Four Corners in the summer of 2022.
