Jack West Memorial Fund

A Memorial fund has been set up in remembrance of Jack West. Jack West is the bother of Tom West, President of the board of First Tee Greater Wichita.
Jack West First Tee
Jack West
DALLAS, TX-West, John “Jack” Mason On April 3, 2020, John (Jack) Mason West passed away in his home in Dallas, Texas from complications from cancer. Jack was born December 12, 1942 in Wichita, KS, to Ivan M. and Helen L. West. His parents and stepmother Dona West and sister Becky Norris preceded him in death. Jack is survived by his wife, Diane Slicker West of Dallas, TX, his sons, Johnny (Danielle) West of Noosa Heads, Queensland; Brian (Karla) West of Wichita; Lucas West of Denton, TX; his daughter, Amanda (Scott) Holder of Wichita; his step-daughter Angela L. Booth; grandchildren, Alli West, Mason West, Rae Grace West, Brady West, Kerrigan West, and step-grandchildren Cabot Booth and Seri Claire Booth; his brothers, Richard (Alisa) West, Tom (Jan) West, and sister Sara Bond all of Wichita. Jack was raised and educated in Wichita having graduated Southeast High School in 1960. While there, he served as President of the first class graduating from Southeast, he was a star on the swim team and held the state record in the breast stroke for many years. He later attended Friends University and graduated with a BS in Human Resource Management. Jack was a successful entrepreneur having started more than 40 businesses in several industries including Healthcare, Fast-food, Fitness Centers, Real Estate Development, and Apartment Management. Primarily he was a leader in the senior housing industry beginning in the early 1980’s. In 1982, he developed the Georgetown Village Retirement Community, an innovative senior living community located in Wichita. In the 1990’s, he continued to refine his concept of assisted living through the development and operation of smaller assisted living residences in Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. In 2002, he formed the Country Place Senior Living and Country Place Memory Care brands that continue to provide senior care in 18 to 26 suite assisted living residences. In the past several years, Jack worked to pioneer the concept of assisted living for senior citizens in China. Jack’s business mantra was “Do Well While Doing Good”. While accomplishing many things in the business world, Jack was grounded in his faith. At one point in time he considered becoming a minister and involved faith in all of his business and personal relationships. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Wichita. A memorial has been established in his memory with The First Tee of Greater Wichita, PO Box 285, Andover, KS. 67002. www.firstteegreaterwichita.org/donate.

Bill C Keckler Memorial

Bill Keckler
Bill Keckler
  Keckler, Bill C. 68 years old, left us on November 8, 2019. Born and raised in Wichita, he was active all his life in sports. After 40 years in the construction business he retired to golf, travel and enjoy time with his family. Bill was a caring, loving and dedicated husband, father and papa. He was an honest, hard-working man. A trusted, loyal friend has gone. We will miss the twinkle in his eye and the joy in his smile. Survived by a legacy of proud and loved women. We appreciate flowers, but we ask you to honor Bill as he lived his life, with an unexpected act of kindness. Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 am, Friday, November 15, 2019, at Wichita United Church of Christ, 6000 E. Harry. Click HERE to donate to the Bill Keckler Memorial Fund

Charlie Gregg Memorial Fund

Click Here to Donate to Charlie Gregg Memorial Fund. TOWANDA-Gregg, Charles Wayland “Charlie” 77, passed away July 6, 2019. Charlie was born in Grainton, NE on April 16, 1942 to Chester and Mabel Gregg. His siblings are Keith, Jack (Joyce), Judy, and Doug (Cynthia) Gregg. He married Martha Boyd in 1980 and is the father of Brenda (Phil) Freeman, Andrea (Scott) Rice, Debra (Chris) Draus, and Will James Gregg; and the grandfather of Bryce (Megan) and Breanna Tretter, Emma and Olivia Rice, and Garrett and Julia Draus. Charlie retired from Continental Can Company where he traveled to Kuwait, Germany, and Russia while working with the international division. He was an avid golfer, winning the El Dorado city tournament in 1999, and also enjoyed gardening, fishing, and his family. He was loved very much by all of them and will be dearly missed. In honor of his love for the game memorials may be made to the First Tee of Greater Wichita, P.O. Box 285, Andover, KS 67002 in order to encourage and support young golfers. There will be no service, but condolences may be shared at www.dlwichita.com    Click Here to Donate to Charlie Gregg Memorial Fund.

Randy Sawyer Memorial Fund

Randy Sawyer Memorial

Randy Sawyer Obit
Randy Sawyer 
Sawyer, Randy, 66, of Wichita, Kansas departed from this life to his eternal life with the Lord on Friday, June 21, 2019 at his home in Wichita. Randy was born the son of Hubert and Jacquelyn Sawyer on October 16, 1952 in Tribune, Kansas. Randy and Janell Sawyer were united in marriage on September 6, 1975 in Wichita. Click Here to Donate to Randy Sawyer Memorial Fund. Randy grew up and attended school in Wellington, Kansas. He played on the Wellington High School golf team and participated in Debate. Upon graduation from high school he attended Wichita State University and majored in accounting, receiving his bachelor’s degree in December of 1974. While at WSU he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served as treasurer and kitchen manager. Randy was given the opportunity to be employed in the ministry for ten years as a church administrator for a non-denominational church in Wichita. In addition to his responsibilities there he was a member of the church band and played the trumpet, flugle horn and saxophone. He later worked as the administrator/accountant for a large doctor’s office, and eventually he and his wife Janell owned and operated a retail tax office, which they sold and retired from two years ago. Randy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family was THE most important thing to him besides his faith in the Lord and his service to others. He loved serving and helping other people. The church ministry he was in gave him tremendous satisfaction. He enjoyed golf, pickleball, and attending his childrens’ and grandchildrens’ athletic events. After his children were grown he learned how to swing dance with Janell and became involved with the Wichita Swing Dance Society, serving as the president for 2 years. He and Janell made many good friends through dancing and had continued to enjoy social dancing for almost 19 years. Randy was known to his many friends as having a quick wit and always ready with a new joke or jab. Another source of pleasure for him was playing his trumpet and flugle horn and having the privilege of accompanying some of his favorite local musicians. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers; Michael W. Sawyer and Gregory Sawyer. Survivors include his loving wife; Janell Sawyer, children; Stacey Davis, Lindsay (Jerrit) Burgess, Brent Sawyer, brother; Blake Sawyer, grandchildren; Aiden Davis, Ashlyn Davis, Adilynn Burgess, Livia Burgess. Celebration of life service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Life.Church, 338 N. 127th St. E., Wichita. Inurnment is at Lakeview Cemetery, Wichita. Memorials have been established in his name and loving memory to First Tee of Greater Wichita, P. O. Box 285, Andover, KS 67002.   Click Here to Donate to Randy Sawyer Memorial Fund

Jack Novascone Memorial Fund

Jack Novascone Memorial Fun
William Jack Novascone
  William “Jack” Novascone, 76, Business Owner, passed away Monday, April 8, 2019. Rosary will be at 6:00 pm, Monday, April 15; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 16, both Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Elaine Novascone; parents, F.L. and Regina Novascone. Survived by his sons, Todd Novascone of Washington, DC, Corey (Kelly) Novascone of Wichita, KS, Jason (Heather) Novascone of Wichita, KS; daughter, Molly (Jeremy) Lowden of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren, Grace Novascone, William Novascone, Leni Novascone, Izzy Novascone, Brielle Novascone, Maizley Lowden, Desmond Lowden. A memorial has been established with: First Tee of Greater Wichita, P. O. Box 285, Andover, KS 67002 https://www.firstteegreaterwichita.org Jack is special to The First Tee Greater Wichita as he was the father of our program Director, Corey Novascone.  We appreciate your donations to further the growth of the game of golf in his dads name. Please click this link to donate: Jack Novascone Memorial Fund

Joseph David Chisholm

Joseph David “Dave” Chisholm Donate to Dave Chisholm Memorial Fund – Click HERE

64, co-owner of Decorators Services/Jane Chisholm Designs, passed away Monday, November 26th, after a tough battle with cancer. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Patricia Chisholm, and his sister, Teri Chisholm. He is survived by his wife, Janie, and his brother, Clay (Eileen) of Atlanta, Georgia, and many, many nieces and nephews.

Dave and Janie were married on February 29, 1976 and have lived in Wichita their entire married life. They started their custom window covering business in 1979, which is still a very active business. Dave was an avid and accomplished bowler, golfer, gardener, and especially enjoyed his hostas and his koi pond. He was an active member of the Kansas Pond Society and the Wichita Hosta Society. Visitation will be Thursday, November 29, 2018, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm; Memorial Service will be Friday, November 30, at 11:00 am, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Memorials have been established with: The First Tee Greater Wichita, P.O. Box 285, Andover, KS 67002; Botanica, 701 Amidon St., Wichita, KS 67203.  

Steve Hatchett

Today is a very sad day for all of us with The First Tee of Greater Wichita. We lost a founding board member and wonderful supporter of our chapter. Steve Hatchett passed away Monday, October 1st. Being a founding board member, Steve was instrumental in the startup and ongoing success of The First Tee Greater Wichita Pro-Am at Flint Hills National. His passion for The First Tee kids and his love for the great game of golf helped guide us to the success we currently enjoy. Steve was a close friend to many of us on the board. We shared many great moments together. Steve made every friend he had feel like his best friend.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest In Peace our friend….we’ve got it from here. To donate to Steve’s First Tee Greater Wichita Memorial Fund – follow this link HERE

Slade Adams Memorial Fund for The First Tee Greater Wichita

On Monday, October 10th, we lost not only a special friend but a great golfer. Slade Adams, who grew up in Wichita, Kansas passed away. He was a close personal friend to me and also was  married to my cousin, Gina. My first recollection of meeting Slade came at the Wichita City Junior golf championship at Tex Consolver golf course in 1989. I was 13 years old and Slade was 16 years old. I couldn’t believe I was actually playing in a tournament with the legend that I had heard so much about. It was fun to watch Slade win the tournament by 10 shots, and this the first of many tournaments I would play alongside Slade, and most of them he won. Slade and I met up again in high school when we were on the same Kapaun Boys golf team. He had already won 2 previous state team titles at KMC and I was lucky enough to be on the team where we won one more together. He welcomed me with open arms as a freshman.  He was always kind to all of us freshman and enjoyed taking us under his wing.  He mentored us on how to be  good golfers and even better people. Something my teammates always remembered about him when we were seniors in high school. After graduating from Kapaun, Slade went to TCU on a golf scholarship. We would talk a lot about how hard college golf was compared to high school golf and the struggles he was having his freshman year at TCU. He ended up transferring around his sophomore year to University of Kansas. Lawrence Kansas was a perfect fit for him. He flourished on and off the course at KU. Slade worked really hard on his game, and I feel, under coach Ross Randall, this is where his game really turned the corner. In 1995, at Prairie Dunes, he won the Big 8 conference individual title (now Big 12). For the record, in the field were some impressive names who went on to be stars on the PGA Tour. This was an enormous accomplishment and a good boost towards what was to come in his golf career. When his college career ended at The University of Kansas, he played professionally on various tours. The Web.com, Tight Lies Tour, Prairie Tour, and finally the PGA Tour. Life on the road as a professional golf was tough for him as it is for anyone. The long stretches away from his family and friends were difficult.  The highlight of his professional career was making it into the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional. This US Open was won by Ernie Els, and it  was the first US Open that Tiger played in as a professional. It also was famous for the shot that Tom Lehman hit on the 17th hole, into the water, costing him the chance to win the title. Not only was it an awesome feat just making it to the US Open, Slade made the cut. Slade loved his family, Slade loved the University of Kansas, and Slade loved golf. Those three things are what he was known for, but, for me the thing that I will miss the most are the times we spent after playing a round of golf. Slade was the type of friend that would never get in your business, but, had an uncanny way of giving great advice. You wouldn’t know it was advice because he would disguise it in a story he’d tell about his past. Slade for the most part, had experienced everything. He wouldn’t ever tell you what do to, he’d just explain in his story how he went about things. He would say some things worked for him and that some things didn’t work for him. You could mine those nuggets of “Slade information” and use them in your life. We spoke a lot when I was contemplating what college I was going to attend and also when I was deciding if playing golf for a living was for me after college. We are all going to miss that long, smooth, golf swing he had with a driver.  His precision wedges, and a putting style I continue to try and copy. There is a pit in my stomach knowing that we will never get to see him again. We will never get to see him make another birdie, or never get to see a long drive right down the center of the fairway. Slade leaves behind four wonderful girls. His wife Gina and his three daughters Jill, Reece, and Victoria (who goes by Torrey, named after his favorite golf course Torrey Pines). His Mom Nikki, Bob his father, and brother Mike. Other family incudes Dr. Eric Larson, Terry, Kate, Kelly and Doug Knipp,  many nieces and nephews and tons of friends. There wasn’t ever a person that met him that didn’t become an immediate friend. It is with great honor that Slade Adams will live on with your donations to The Slade Adams Memorial Fund. Slade would be so proud that kids, who normally wouldn’t be exposed to the game he loved, are able to learn about the 9 core values of The First Tee and learn the game that took him so many places. Slade had plans on getting involved in The First Tee Greater Wichita with me next summer as a volunteer coach.  Now he still can through your generosity. Below will is a link to where you can donate buy credit card or paypal. DONATE HERE RIP my good friend and Rock Chalk Jayhawk. —–Corey
1997 US Open, Kansas Golf, KU Golf, University of Kansas golf, mens golf, TCU Golf
Champion golfer and friend to many, Slade Adams