Jack Vanier, Manhattan, Kan., passed away, Feb. 10. He was a pillar of the breed and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA). “The Vanier Family name and HYFA are synonymous with supporting Hereford youth and over his lifetime, Jack Vanier gave so much to so many, in the most humble way,” said Amy Cowan, Director of Youth Activities and Foundation for the American Hereford Association. “The foundation is built on the pillars of scholarship, leadership, research and education and we are so grateful to Jack Vanier for all he has given and all he did to pave the way for youth in agriculture through scholarship and education.”  

In 2008, Jack and Donna Vanier of CK Ranch established the Vanier Family Scholarship program through HYFA and this fall the foundation will proudly carry on Jack and Donna Vanier’s legacy by awarding ten scholarships in the Vanier Family name totaling ¾ million dollars and more than 70 National Junior Hereford Association members that have benefitted from Jack and his families philanthropy.

In January, CK Ranch was the inaugural inductee in the Hall of Fame for the Yards at the National Western Stock Show, a very fitting honor for this iconic ranch who through the years had some much success in the historic Denver Yards.

Jack’s family said it best in his obituary. His contributions to agriculture, the livestock industry, to Kansas State University and to all the organizations and people he touched are many and significant. But it was by living his life the way he did that marks the profound contribution Jack Vanier made to our greater society, the rural culture and a way of life worth preserving, that will stand out. He was a patriarch, touching many lives through scholarship, mentorship and stewardship and for that we will miss him as we continue to carry out the legacy that he laid. Please keep Jack’s children, John, Mary and Marty and the entire Vanier family in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of a true patriarch.

Obituary

To call Jack Vanier a founding father of a bygone rural Kansas culture would be three things at once. 

An understatement, a compliment and a chance for Jack to respond in his characteristic unassuming nature — accompanied by that brilliant smile — that he was just doing what came naturally. 

In his self-effacing, low-key way, it would also offer a golden opportunity for Jack to take issue with the "bygone" sentiment. 

Soft-spoken and successful. Kind and productive. Reliable and generous.

If someone were to ask, "What does it mean to be called 'the salt of the Earth?'" One would only need to spend a few minutes talking about Jack Vanier to get a deep and meaningful sense.

Jack grew up on the bedrock of honesty. He came of age with a work ethic. Integrity drove his success in business. With his bride, Donna, he raised a family on faith. Jack Vanier did not struggle with a greater cosmic meaning of why he was here, and that's what made him such a good husband, father and grandfather, rancher and businessman. That's what made him such a good friend. 

He loved his neighbor and walked humbly. His sense of humor put you at ease as soon as you encountered him. Jack Vanier was fun to be around. 

Born in Salina, Kansas, to John J. "J.J." and Lesta Vanier, Jack operated the CK Ranch in Brookville, Kansas — once the largest producer of purebred Hereford cattle in the country. The family also held ranching interests in Wyoming, Colorado and Oklahoma. 

Jack offered his gift of service and leadership capacity to a host of organizations, including the American Hereford Association, the Kansas Livestock Association, the Boards of Directors of the National Cattlemen's Association and Archer Daniels Midland — roles in which he provided wisdom and insight, but mostly what he would have described as common sense.  

And while much has changed in Kansas and the world during Jack Vanier's time on this planet, his passing is not the end of an era. Jack's legacy is with us today. You see it in Mary's compassion for her community, in Marty's brilliant smile and intellect, in the life lessons John learned from his father. In Jack's grandchildren, you don't have to look very far to see a direct reflection of his light and love.  

You see it in the promise of entire generations touched by Jack's benevolence through scholarship, mentorship, and stewardship. 

Jack lives on in the thoughts and memories found uppermost in the minds and the warm feelings which lie deep in the hearts of all who encountered him. When we think of Jack Vanier, it is what comes naturally.

His contributions to agriculture, the livestock industry, to Kansas State University and to all the organizations and people he touched are many and significant. But it was by living his life the way he did that marks the profound contribution Jack Vanier made to our greater society, the rural culture and a way of life worth preserving, that will stand out. 

Not because he wanted it to, but because he didn't.

Preceded in death by his wife, Donna Lindsey Vanier, Jack is survived by sister Joyce Hale and brother Jerry Vanier of Kansas City, daughter Mary Vanier of Manhattan, daughter Dr. Marty Vanier of Manhattan and her stepchildren Katie (Kevin) Buehler, Kirsten (Nathan) Beemer and Kathy Krause, and son John K. Vanier II of Salina, his daughters Lauren Vanier and Sarah (Ryan) Geiger, John’s wife, Kim, and children Pallie (Bryan) Swartz, Landon Koehn, Jess Koehn, and Ty Koehn, Jake Mooney and Norah Mooney. 

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Christ Cathedral in Salina, Kansas. The family suggests memorial gifts to any of the following organizations: the Salina Community Foundation and the Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund in Manhattan. Memorials may be sent in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.