John Kane

1944 - 2016

Major General John (Jack) F. Kane
1944 - 2016
Major General John (Jack) F. Kane passed away on May 31, 2016, in the presence of his wife, Sandra, of 45 years, his son, Matthew and his wife Cherie, and close friends. Jack was preceded in death by his son, Dustin Tyler Kane, and is survived by his sons, Matthew and Scott Kane and his brother, Raymond Kane and his wife, Judy.
Major General Kane assumed duties as Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Idaho National Guard on February 26, 1995, retiring on February 1, 2005. He served a total of 43 years in the United States Army in service to the State of Idaho and his country. A Boise native, Jack graduated from Borah High School in 1962, enlisted in the Idaho National Guard in 1962 and obtained his Business Degree from Boise State in 1970. General Kane graduated from the U.S. Army War College and was an honor graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. During his tenure, General Kane improved Gowen Field with the construction of new barracks, a state of the art Mobilization Training Center, Joint Force (Army and Air) Headquarters and new hangars for the C-130 aircraft.
During Major General Kane's tenure, the Orchard Training Area was preserved for perpetual use as a training site for the 116th Cavalry Brigade, the 1-183rd Combat Aviation Battalion, and the Air National Guard. The Orchard Training Area (OTA) is an example of multiple use of public lands. General Kane's foresight emphasized readiness, training and leadership, along with many fine officers and soldiers that led to training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California in 1998 in advance of the successful deployment of the 116th Cavalry Brigade to Iraq in 2004. Major General Kane was a strong advocate for the Idaho Air National Guard, often visiting the flight line, walking through work areas and thanking airmen. He never missed saying farewell to airmen as they deployed or welcoming them home from those overseas deployments. He was instrumental in securing new missions for the 124th Wing after the loss of its F-4's, resulting in an increase in the size of the Idaho Air National Guard as well as adding another flying mission.
General Kane was instrumental in leading a cultural change that brought the active and reserve components together, resulting in enhanced readiness of the total force and development of its combat leaders. Many times the commanders and the soldiers heard General Kane ask his commanders, "have you taken care of soldiers today?", to which they responded, "we have, sir". Awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Master Army Aviator Badge.
There will be a memorial service at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road, at noon, Tuesday, June 7, 2016, and Major General Kane will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. that day.
The family would like to thank Vibra Acute Care Hospital, Nurse Practitioner Laura Kogan and Dr. Kevin Owens and the staff at the Idaho Veterans Home for their loving care. Special thoughts are reserved for Gayla Crall, his Executive Assistant. Jack will be missed.