Obituary of Jack Kain

Jack Kain was born in Indianapolis Indiana on June 18th, 1929 where the new family stayed only weeks before heading back to their Kentucky home. His parents, Jack Goldson and Pauline Kain, were farmers and raised him and his sister Barbara with love. That love became the cornerstone of Jack’s life. A life that began with love in the arms of his parents and ended on Tuesday night March 26th, 2024 surrounded by family, being held tightly by the love of his life, along with his kids and grandkids as he passed.

A life so well lived and so wholeheartedly embraced cannot be easily expressed. He enjoyed work, and by hard effort and devotion he accomplished so very much. He was blessed to have found the elusive balance and realized that being home for supper with his family at night was equally important. 

His accomplishments could fill a book and are too numerous to mention. It is strongly felt that his love should be described instead. He had love in such abundance that all nine of his children felt it to the fullest measure with none feeling forgotten or left out. Enough love to make each of his 22 grandchildren feel like they were his first. 

His love for our country led him to serve in the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant during the Korean War. His love for family produced nine children who went on to give him 22 grandchildren. His love of people enabled him to build a business that has thrived and is now in its third generation. Love for his town inspired him to serve, he played a significant role in recruiting several factories that employed hundreds of his friends and neighbors. Helped to keep the local hospital from being closed and began a downtown revitalization project that we enjoy to this day. Jack was a devoted member of St. Leo’s Church where he attended mass every Sunday and was instrumental in the planning and fundraising for the parish's new church and school. His love of sports is legendary based upon a passion for UK Athletics which was cultivated as he earned his Bachelor of Business while cheering on Wildcat teams that were led by coaching legends Adolph Rupp and Bear Bryant. He was a true fan that cheered as loudly during cold rainy one win seasons as he did for the seasons that culminated in championships. 

Ultimately he had a love of life which he embraced wholeheartedly and which propelled him through 94 years of work, family and great friends. 

His lessons were simple ones.Be positive. Be courteous. Be polite. Always smile. Do something nice for someone everyday. Always be grateful. Pray. Simple lessons that so many of us struggle with on a daily basis, he handled with ease. 

He was a hero to us. In turn he was greatly loved and we pray that he knows how much we love him still.

Short list of accomplishments that barely scratch the surface:

Jack Kain became a new car dealer in 1953 with a Desoto Plymouth franchise in Frankfort.

He became a Ford Dealer in 1959 and operated on East Main Street in Frankfort until 1979 when he moved the business to Versailles Ky. where it continues to operate. 

He was elected President of the Kentucky Auto Dealer Association (KADA) in 1981.

He served on multiple local committees and boards. Woodford Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital, Versailles/Woodford County Economic Development Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the North Woodford Water Board to name a few.

Nationally, he was elected to be the Chair of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in 2005, and was selected by his fellow Kentucky Dealers to be Kentucky’s nominee for the national and prestigious Time Magazine Dealer of the Year award.

He served on several national automotive committees as well as Ford Motor Company boards in his many years. Namely as a member of the NADA Board of Directors, the Ford Dealer Advertising Committee, Ford Dealer Council and many many more. 

In addition to his loving wife, Alice Stewart Kain, Jack is survived by his children, Vickie (Dan) Fister of Versailles, Patrick (Mary) Kain of Midway, David (Eve) Kain of Louisville, Steve (Barbara) Kain of Florida, Bob (Jan) Kain of Midway, and Bill (Lynne) Kain of Midway; 21 grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents, Jack Goldson and Pauline Beatrice Kain, Jack was preceded in death by his daughters, Becky Grimes and Suzanne Hockensmith; his son, Jack Kain, Jr; and a grandson, Matthew Wells. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00a, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at St. Leo Catholic Church, 295 Huntertown Rd, Versailles, with Father Danny Fister officiating. A Celebration will follow from 11:30a until 1:30p, at Jack Kain Ford, 3405 Lexington Rd, Versailles. Burial will be Private with Tom Kain, Brad Fister, Jack Kain III, Alex Kain, Andy Kain, Ben Hockensmith, Michael Wells, Steve Kain, Graham Kain, and Lee Kain serving as Pallbearers.  Visitation will be held from 4:00p until 7:00p, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. Leo Catholic Church, Versailles.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorial Contributions be made to The Hope Center at hopectr.org, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates at donatelifeky.org, or Right to Life of Central Kentucky at ckrtl.org.