He was born April 12, 1925, at McCune to Ernest Melvin and Meda (Morrow) Han. He grew up in McCune and attended school there. He then attended Pittsburg State Teachers College, graduating with a master’s degree in administration and a minor in library science, speech, biology and history.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theatre, a part of the Joint Assault Signal Company attached to the Second Division. He was involved in the Battle of Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. He was discharged in July 1946 and returned to Kansas.
He began his teaching career in 1950 at Eureka, where he was the school librarian. In 1951, he moved to Fredonia, where he was librarian also. He began his career in administration at Galva in 1953 and was here until moving to Blue Mound in 1956. He was superintendent at Blue Mound until moving to Spring Hill in 1961. He was superintendent at Spring Hill from 1961 to 1966, and then moved to Erie. He served as superintendent of CUSD 101 until his retirement in 1987. He was recognized by Kansas State University as Rural Administrator of the Year. While superintendent of the Erie school district, Jack was instrumental in the establishment of the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush.
He married Phyllis Pippin on June 3, 1950, at Fredonia. She survives of the home.
He was an active member of First Christian Church at Erie, having served as both church moderator and vice moderator. He also served on the Pastoral Relations Committee and had been an elder for many years. He also was a member of the Christian Church Elder Emeritus, the Blue Mound Masonic Lodge and the George L. Hendrick’s Post No. 102, American Legion. He received his 50-year pin from the Legion in 2009. He also served on the Greenbush board and the Superintendent Council at Topeka.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Kevin Jay Han of Topeka and Shawn Kent Han of Erie; a daughter, Susan (Shelley) Michelle Craven of Erie; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jon Kerry Han; a brother, Ernest Han Jr.; and a sister, Dortha Monnat.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church at Erie with the Rev. Paul Elliott officiating. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery with military honors given by the George L. Hendricks Post No. 102, American Legion. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, where the casket will be open. The casket will remain closed during the funeral Wednesday.
Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733.
Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
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