Gary Bane

Gary Robert Bane
Gary Robert Bane was born in Liberal, Ks., on August 18, 1944 to Gilbert Raymond Bane and Geraldine June (Johnson) Bane. He passed away in the early morning on October 12, 2017 at the Avita Home in Wichita. He was the oldest of two boys. Gary received his elementary and secondary education at the Rolla Public Schools, graduating from Rolla High School in 1962. Nicknamed “Toad”, he was well liked by his classmates, and was a good athlete. In the fall of 1962, he entered Panhandle State University and graduated in 1966 with his Bachelors’ Degree in Social Studies.

Later he received his Masters’ Degree in Educational Administration for Fort Hays State University. He married the LOVE of his life, Lois Jeannie Kraber, on August 28, 1963. Recently they celebrated their 54th anniversary. They have worked as a team in every area of their lives. Gary taught first at Andover and then he Jean moved to Copeland where they both taught. They enjoyed the years there, and he was known a “Mr. Coach”. In June of 1971 their daughter, Stephanie Jo, blessed this union. She has been their pride and joy.

Moving to Rolla in 1976, he became a partner in the Bane Farm with his parents. He became a teacher and coach in football, girls’ basketball, and track. His highlights were winning the state in football and winning track regional. He also enjoyed immensely coaching girls’ basketball. He enjoyed starting the track meets and he would always encourage the runners. He would try to get them to relax with his conversions before starting the race. He always had a fine team. By being genuinely interested in each one, he was loved by them all. Some of his greatest pleasures in the school were being the principal, athletic director, and starting the Rolla Invitational Basketball Tournament. He also represented the Santa Fe Trail League on the Kansas State Activities Association Board. Mac Plummer and Gary were honored by having the Rolla football field named after them. We would describe Gary as a caring, loving, giving person who tried to make the school a happy place for students and all workers.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Jean; daughter, Stephanie (Mike) Rohn; brother, Randy (Sandy) Bane; grandchildren, Raegen and Rylee Rohn; sisters-in-law, Alice (Bob) Hill and Irma (Wayne) Hoskinson and brothers-in-law, John (Sharon) Kraber and Bob Cotter
Preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and June Bane; sister-in-law, Bernadean Cotter; and brother-in-law, Earl and Zelda Kraber.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 2PM at Rolla United Methodist Church with burial following at the Rolla Cemetery, Rolla, KS.