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BORN
1960
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2021
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John Kenyon Obituary
November 4, 1960 - October 4, 2021
Boise, Idaho - Quane Kenyon, 60 passed away on October 3, 2021, due to complications of esophageal cancer. John Quane Kenyon, Jr, was born on November 4, 1960, in Pocatello, Idaho to Quane and Geraldean Kenyon. As a kid Quane lived in Utah and Michigan before moving to Boise in the 7th grade, and aside from college he resided in Boise the rest of his life.
Quane was a beloved husband, father, coach, teacher and school administrator, but most of all he was a friend to everyone. Coach Kenyon played football at Borah High School, graduating in 1979. He went on to play football at TVCC in Ontario, Oregon for two years, earning all-conference honors. He then finished his playing career at Montana Western. Coaching football was Quane's passion, he started his coaching career in 1986 in Ekalaka, Montana, where he coached 8 man football for three years before Coach Wil Overgaard gave him the chance to return to his beloved Borah High School as Offensive Line Coach in 1988. Quane spent the next two decades at Borah where he taught history and coached football. Quane was also blessed with the opportunity to join the Bishop Kelly coaching family, where he coached football for over 10 years and made many deep and lasting friendships. The absolute highlight of his career happened this fall when he had the opportunity to return to Borah to coach with son JQ, Head Coach and son Hunter, Running Backs coach. Quane was in a weakened state yet put in the long hours to assist his sons, but he never complained.
Quane was a vice-principal at Borah, Fairmont Jr. High and North Jr. High before becoming the Principal at Fairmont Jr. High in 2017. He begrudgingly retired from Fairmont in December of 2020, due to his battle with cancer. Quane loved that Fairmont faculty; and he especially loved those Fairmont kids.
It is not an overstatement to say that throughout his career as a teacher, coach and school administrator he impacted the lives of thousands. Teaching was the instrument that molded his life and helping his students succeed, especially those that were hard to reach, is when his light shown the brightest. As a football coach his proudest moments were not how many all-state players he coached, but his eyes truly lit up when he told the stories of the second or third string kid suddenly forced into the game, and making the play. No tribute to Quane Kenyon would be complete without recognizing the Rhino. Quane taught his family, athletes and students to live like a "Rhino"-- Rhinos have no fear, never give up, charge massively and receive massive success.
Quane was blessed with an amazing gift of empathy as he could talk with anyone, make friends with anyone, and was a friend to everyone—always, always advocating for the underdog. Quane's greatest love is his family. Quane collected many, many things and one of them was every memory with his family.
Quane is survived by his caring wife, Mariellen, his three children JQ (Whitney), Hunter and Kaycee, his mother Geraldean, two brothers Steve (Tay), Craig (Tonia), sister Tracy (John) Leavitt and his ex-wife and friend Suzette (Joe), his two grandsons JQ and Jace, and Mariellen's children, Emily (Spencer), Mason (Lorieann), Kyle and Blake and grandchildren, Grant, Henry, Sam, Barrett, Kingsley, Clive, Robin, Jane and Kate who adored him. He was proceeded in death by his Father Quane Kenyon, Sr.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 9th at 11:00am in the Borah High School Gymnasium. A viewing will be held Friday, October 8th from 6pm-8pm at Relyea Funeral Chapel. Burial will be Tuesday, October 12th, 1:00pm at Dry Creek Cemetery.
For donations in memory of Quane, please go to https://boiseschoolsfoundation49704.thankyou4caring.org/ --designation is "Rhino Fund".
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Kenyon
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
Joe Burge
October 14, 2021
Coach Kenyon had a huge impact in my life, and I am deeply saddened for your loss. He was my O-Line coach at Borah, but he was so much more than that. He was a role-model when I needed one. He was an advocate when there were no others. I know that I am just one of the many lives that were blessed to know him, and be impacted by him. I hope to someday be even half the man that he was. He was my hero.
Rosie (Pocock) Galbraith
October 10, 2021
Coach Kenyon was an amazing teacher, coach and man. I had him for history and as a throwing coach and he taught me so much. He inspired me to be better. He definitely made a difference in many many lives. I lived close to him and babysat his kids a couple times when they were young. He was a great father and husband as well. A great example.
My prayers and thoughts are with his family at this time.
Debbie & Marty Jones
October 9, 2021
The Jones family extends heartfelt sympathy to Quane´s family. There is no finer a person than Quane!! He was a Man with a strong moral code, showed kindness & care in his interactions with our family and helped our 3 sons Oliver, Austin & Emory, to see realize their potentials as people. He was fully committed to teaching and coaching and our lives are enriched because of Quane.
Linda Plew
October 8, 2021
I am grateful for having the opportunity to coach softball with Quane and get to know him. He was such a kind person. I remember the time we were returning from State Softball and the bus broke down in the metropolis of Durkee, Oregon. We spent the next four hours waiting for a bus out of Boise. Coach bought pie and ice cream for the team.
Quane was always willing to help a friend or stranger. I will never forget when he coached my nephew, from a small school, on the finer points of throwing a discus. I have many good memories of Quane.
God bless your family.
Lee Lizama
October 8, 2021
My family did not know Coach Kenyon as intimately as others, but well enough that we always shared a talk whenever we saw him.
Two of our boys were fortunate to have him as an assistant football coach at BK. What we respected the most about him was not his knowledge of the game, but how much genuine compassion and kindness that he showed towards our boys. He was always supportive and encouraging on the sideline.
Our boys have always commented on how much they enjoyed their time with him as one of their coaches.
Our family sends our condolences and prayers to his entire family. He will be missed.
Rod Hays
October 8, 2021
Borah High grad '91. O-Line once & forever, Coach you'll be greatly missed. Thanks for seeing something inside the tall skinny redhead that didn't really fit in anywhere. I was always the skinniest O-lineman and I remember going to coaches house the day before a game, or to a restaurant to have our pre-game meals. We'd watch Chaka-Zulu for inspiration and eat as much spaghetti as we could put down. He always commented on where I put all the food I could eat. He was the first adult outside my family that I introduced my son to when he was born.
Lee Lizama
October 8, 2021
My family and I didn't know Quane as intimately as so many others, but well enough that he never hesitated to always chat for a couple of minutes whenever we saw him. We did have the pleasure of watching him coach two of our boys in football at BK.
As a parent, what I respected about him most was not his knowledge of the game that he shared, but how kind he was to my boys. He was always supportive and positive and there was nothing more that we could have asked for. These sentiments have been validated by my boys, as they ALWAYS commented on how much they loved being around him during the football season.
We send our condolences and prayers to his entire family. He will be missed but always remembered.
Alan S.
October 7, 2021
My condolences for Mr. Kenyon's family. He was a great man, coach, and educator. He made History, fun and interesting. It was my pleasure to be in his class.
Jessica Browen
October 6, 2021
My thoughts and prayers to Mr Kenyons family. I had him as a history teacher at Borah-class of 94. I really enjoyed his class! RIP
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