John “Jack” E. Kays, age 84 of Florence, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at a local care center.
Memorial Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Pastor Steve Biswell will officiate. The funeral service will be live-streamed via our website.
Visitation will be held at the Crawf0rd-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, prior to services, on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Honorary Urnbearers will be Jack’s grandchildren.
John “Jack” E. Kays was born to Vincent and Geraldine (Coughlin) Kays on February 11, 1942.
Jack graduated from Vienna High School in May of 1960. After graduation, in October of 1960, Jack started a lifelong career at Western Electric/AT&T, where he worked for 33 years.
Jack married the love of his life, Arlys Joy Mudgett on June 1, 1963, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bryant. Together, they had four children, Todd, Brad, David and Michelle.
Jack’s work took his family to many locations, with most of their time spent raising their family in Watertown, S.D. and Albuquerque, NM. In 1990, Jack and Arlys made their home in Florence, S.D.
After he retired at the age of 51, he put up a sign advertising small-engine repair. He was so busy that he never needed to hang up a second one. Jack was the neighborhood handyman. He could repair small engines, do carpentry work and fix almost anything. If something was broken or needed to be repaired, Jack was usually the person people called. He was always willing to lend a hand and share what he knew.
Jack also believed in giving back to his community. He was a member of the Florence Fire Department and served as a Dexter Township Supervisor for 15 years. He was a proud member of the Grass Lake Conservation District and attended the Blessed Sacrament Church in Florence.
When Jack had a free moment, you could catch him at the lake or spending time with his family. He loved his children and grandchildren very much. Jack was an avid fisherman and hunter who found peace and joy with the outdoors. Jack also never met a stranger and was quite a story teller.
Jack was also very resilient. He battled cancer for more than 10 years. His strength and courage to continue to fight is a lasting lesson for everyone who knew him.
Jack is survived by his wife, Arlys Kays, of Florence; children Todd (Rogene) Kays of Watertown, Brady Kays of Florence, David Kays of Bradley and Michelle (Shawn) Kays Lenning of Watertown; siblings Donald Kays of Aurora, Colo. and Cheryl (Dennis) Erickson of Grand Forks, N.D.; nine grandchildren: Emma (Tyler) Sobczak, Garrett (Caroline) Kays, Abby (Alex) Nelson, Aidan Kays and significant other Leigh Dyer, Kasey Lenning and significant other Kahden Mooney, Adam Kays and significant other Morgan Damman, Liam Keys and significant other Kennedy Pudenz, Vincent Kays and Madison Kays; and man in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Linda Mutcher and Dianna Cunningham, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jack didn’t just live in his community—he was an important part of it. He gave his time, his skills and his willingness to help others, and that is a legacy that will live on in the people and the community he served. In memory of Jack, memorials may be made to the Florence Volunteer Fire Department and the Florence Community Center.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti
