Kenneth Dewayne Jett was born November 13, 1930 in Tecumseh, Oklahoma to Samuel Joseph and Ruby Agnes (Thompson) Jett. Kenneth was the oldest of 10 children. He graduated from Quail High School in Quail, Texas in 1950. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served in Germany from 1950 to 1953. On September 4, 1953 in Wellington, Texas he married Lillian Fern Neeley. For the 68 years of their marriage, Kenneth and Fern lived and raised their families across many midwestern states. Starting their lives together in Hobbs, New Mexico where Kenneth worked the oil and gas pipelines. Then they moved to Denver City and McCamey Texas where Kenneth worked for Shell Oil Company. While in Denver City Kenneth and Fern also ran a local RV park. During those years they also had three of their four children (Joni Luann, Ray Gene and Neva Faye). In 1963 they moved to Twitty, Texas and shortly after moved to Lutie, Texas where the family lived on a dirt farm and Kenneth opened his own blacksmith shop. They had their last child, Andy Wayne, while living in Lutie. In 1967 the family moved to Middlewater,Texas where Kenneth worked on a large cattle ranch. In 1969 the family moved to Branson, Colorado to work the S&S Ranch along the Purgatory (Picketwire) River. In 1973 after Joni Luann graduated from high school in Branson the family moved to Wyola, Montana where they lived and worked on another large cattle ranch with over 2500 head of cattle. Soon after they moved to Wheatland, Wyoming and worked the Two Bar Ranch. This is where their second child, Ray Gene, graduated high school and then the family moved shortly after to Eagle, Colorado. In Eagle the family lived on and worked a cow and calf operation until 1976 when they moved down the mountain to the eastern Colorado plains to the JOD Ranch near Wild Horse, Colorado. This is where their third child, Neva Faye, graduated from high school in Kit Carson. The family ran the JOD Ranch until the owners sold the ranch in 1981. For the following year the family lived and worked on the Bledsoe Ranch also near Wild Horse before moving to Syracuse, Kansas in 1982. In the 38 years they lived in Syracuse, Kenneth worked for various feed yards and cattle and farming operations before retiring and spending much of his retirement doing day work, running dairy samples to the USDA offices or helping out at the sale barn or fairgrounds. While in Syracuse their youngest child, Andy Wayne, graduated high school. In 2020, after Kenneth and Fern’s health began to fail the family moved them to Limon, Colorado to be closer to family. Kenneth passed away on October 28th at the Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo, Colorado. He will be buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hugo. Kenneth was the quintessential American cowboy. He could ride any horse, heal any cow, fix any fence, grow any crop, calm any child, and love most his one and only. Growing up on horseback and living his best life when doing the same gave him a heart built for both good times and rough. He taught his children work ethic not by word but by action. He built respect by his service to his family and friends. He built a home – wherever he lived – through the labor of his hands and the integrity of his word. Kenneth showed his care and devotion to his wife, his children, and his community each day he awoke. Now that he has passed he gathers the cattle aboard his best horse and turns to smile to his love and wishes her the best until they see each other again to sit on the front porch and welcome their friends and family. Kenneth is survived by his wife Lillian Fern (Neeley) of Limon, four children and spouses – Joni and Alvin Kelly (Hugo, Colorado), Gene and Kelly Jett (Scott City, Kansas), Neva and Stephen Heffler (Pueblo, Colorado) and Andy Jett and Brad Ozias (Lenexa, Kansas), 11 grandchildren – Dana and Les McDaniel, Allen and Crystal Kelly, Sarah and Matt Blanski, Amanda and Aaron Anderson, Jessica and Jarrod Caudle, Hank and Virginia Jett, Ronald Heffler, Kyle and Kayla Heffler, David and Emma Heffler, Katie and Tyler Rea and Samantha Jett, 20 great grandchildren – Darius and Ashlee Johnson, Trinity and Nosh Scroggs, Destiny Moses, Baylee Kelly, Rylee Kelly, Brentley Kelly, Lily Blankski, Jude Blankski, Ella Blanski, Timber Medina, Jacob Caudle, Alexis Jett, Elizabeth Jett, Levi Jett, Faith Heffler, Noah Pratt, Jaiden Heffler, and Katherine Heffler along with 2 great-great grandchildren Koda Johnson and Addison Johnson.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 9:00 am - 10:00 am followed by the Funeral Service at 10:00 am at the Love Funeral Home Chapel, 225 F Avenue, Limon, Colorado. Internment will follow at 11:30 am at the Hugo Evergreen Cemetery, 12 CO HWY 109, Hugo, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Limon Ambulance Service or Hamilton County Kansas Library would be appreciated. If you would like to send a card to Fern, her address is PO Box 578. Limon, Colorado. 80828.
Kathryn Jeanette McCracken, 83 May 2nd, 1941 – April 16th, 2025 Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Kathy McCracken will be held at the Holly Methodist Church, in Holly, Colorado on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating.... [More]
Miguel V. Baeza, husband to Carmen (Nieto) Baeza, father, grandfather, brother, businessman, and jack of all trades passed away on April 9, 2025. He was 68 years young. Born on September 11, 1956, Miguel immigrated to the United States at the age of 14 in search of a... [More]
Raymond Dwight Lohman entered this world on February 12, 1948 at Donahue Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. Dwight peacefully passed away on April 7, 2025 at the age of 77 surrounded by friends and family at the Hamilton County Hospital, Syracuse, Kansas. A... [More]
Hall Funeral Home 949 Main Street Waldoboro, Maine 04572 Dateline: Washington It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Terry “Stringbean” C. Wade, who left us on March 29, 2025, at the age of 69. Born on June 9, 1955, in Garden City, Kansas,... [More]
DATELINE: JOHNSON, KS David Randolph Taylor Junior was a big, strong man with a tender heart. He was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1955 on February 17th. David died on March 9, 2025, after a fierce battle with Anaplastic thyroid cancer. David was born to David... [More]
Susan Lynn Barker, 67, died Monday, March 3, 2025, at The Ranch House in Garden City, Kansas. She was born July 9, 1957, in Iola, Kansas the daughter to George Ernest Mapes & Doris Louise Cuppy. Susan was born in Iola and relocated to Colorado during her childhood, where... [More]
With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Larry Lee Hirsch Sr., who left us on February 24, 2025, at the age of 81. He passed at his son’s home, with family members present. He was in the care of Hand in Hand Hospice of Emporia, Kansas. ... [More]
Daryle Wayne Lewis was born on January 5, 1945, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to George Woodrow Lewis and Juanita (Evins) Lewis. He was raised on the family farm northwest of Syracuse that was homesteaded by his Grandfather. He lived in a sod house until the age of ten, with... [More]
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Syracuse resident Marvin and Janet Weis returned home last week to find a package waiting at their door. Marvin was sure Janet had ordered something online. When they got inside and opened the manila envelope, Marvin was shocked to find he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal... [More]
“Since I moved back here, everything is falling into place.” Diena Schwieterman, 1986 SHS graduate made the decision to move home. “As soon as I made the decision, it seems like everything began falling into place.” Diena... [More]
Syracuse Bulldogs power lifting successful season is ending with nine athletes qualifying for the state meet Saturday, March 29 in Conway Springs at 9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT. Qualifying are Natalia Figueroa, Stella Simon, Deena Rochat, Angel Peralta, Angel Ramirez, Will Roberts,... [More]
Scams. Hackers. They are everywhere. They call your phone, text a simple hi, email you from what looks like a reasonable business. They are out for your money or your identity. We often think they get other people, not us. Local resident Ronna Simon is exasperated.... [More]
On Friday night, the stands were filled with students, parents, and spectators out to enjoy homecoming against the Sublette Larks. The pep rally started off the afternoon with contests and games to get the students excited. The JH Pep Band played, the cheerleaders performed,... [More]
If you think you have seen a little spaceship on the streets around town, you are not alone. Many of us have wondered what this new contraption is and how it works. According to City Administrator, Brian Bloyd, it is the new Ravo R5 street sweeper. “This replaces... [More]
In the last year and a half, Dairy Specialists has grown from working with three dairies to 15, and they have quickly outgrown their space. They found a larger facility in Ulysses with 12 acres that is centrally located to the dairies they service. No employees have to... [More]
Scot Schwieterman has been involved in farming his entire life. “I learned how to farm while working for my family. Growing up, I developed a passion for it.” In 2018, YO Farms was established with hay, forage, and row crop farming. Scot’s eagerness... [More]
We are nearing the end of April. Showers are in the forecast for the next few days. Rain in southwest Kansas is a beautiful gift to be treasured! Life has been crazy, which has become the norm for me. Between sheep, work, my daughter’s track meets, and everything... [More]
It’s early Wednesday morning at 4:40 AM, as I sit in bed sipping a large cup of coffee writing a few notes on my phone to finish this week’s paper. I walked into church Sunday. I saw the message, Hallelujahs and headaches, and I laughed. That is the theme of... [More]
It’s bug season in western Kansas. It sounds like drops of rain falling but really it’s bugs hitting your windshield of your car or pickup, and they are a pain to clean off. But they are also a sign of warmer weather here! For a while now, I have been in a funk... [More]
Happy April! There is wind, rain, and snow in our forecast for the next couple of days. Happy spring in western Kansas. LOL. I have never been a big fan of April Fools Day but this year in particular April 1 was a rough one. It started off with a lot of gratitude... [More]
Happy Spring! Happy warm temperatures. Happy sunshine without extreme wind days! It is supposed to be 88 degrees today and tomorrow. Doesn’t that sun feel good? And how wild that a week ago there was still snow on the ground. It may sound crazy but I appreciate the... [More]
Does anyone remember the short story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry? It is one of my favorites. If I recall correctly, the couple sells their most treasured possessions to secretly buy each other Christmas gifts. Again it has been many years since I read the story, but... [More]
It’s a snowy February day here in western Kansas as I write my column before it heads to print. We had a couple of inches of beautiful snow to blanket our area with white. However the farmers are disappointed that there wasn’t any moisture in it. As always,... [More]
It is an icy, foggy winter morning, a far cry from the 82 degree sunny day we had just a couple of days ago. While the weather in western Kansas can be baffling, I enjoy the variances. It makes every day exciting. What will happen next? I feel like that is the climate... [More]
©2025 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.