The Taft School community is heartbroken to share the news that Jack Kenerson '82 passed away on the morning of July 29, 2026.

For 40 years, Jack devoted his life to Taft—as a beloved teacher, advisor, coach, dean, admission officer, colleague, alumnus, parent, and friend. “Few people have left a more enduring mark on Taft or touched the lives of as many students, families, and faculty and staff,” said Head of School Peter Becker ’95.

Jack's Taft story began as a student. A member of the Class of 1982, he earned the Reardon Prize for excellence in history, received the Cross Football Award, and captained the varsity golf team. After graduating from Colgate University, he returned to Taft as a Carpenter Teaching Fellow, beginning what would become a lifetime of service to the school he loved.

Over the years, Jack wore many hats. He taught generations of students in the History Department, inspiring them through his passion for learning and his gift for bringing the past to life. He held the Robert Congdon Memorial Chair of History, served as senior class dean, coached the varsity golf team to six Founders League championships, worked in the Admission Office, chaired the History Department, coached football and hockey, and served for many years on the Disciplinary Committee. Whether in the classroom, on the golf course, in the dormitory, or walking across campus, Jack was a trusted mentor whose wisdom, humor, and steady presence shaped the Taft experience for countless students.

Former Head of School William MacMullen ’78 reflected on Jack's extraordinary impact as a teacher, coach, colleague, and mentor:

“Where do we even start in honoring Jack? Maybe here: that he was what Taft teaching at its very best looked like. There will never be another like him. He graduated from Taft and began teaching right after college, and so Taft was quite literally his life. The catalogue of roles he had itself is humbling—he was, to list a few, teacher, three-sport coach, advisor, department head, admissions officer, senior class dean—and to each he brought incredible passion, dedication, and energy. As a coach, he was tough and demanding; during football practices, you could hear his booming voice three fields away. But he was also caring, supportive and funny, and a real advocate for the ‘little guy.’ He was a hockey fanatic and the face of Taft golf. As a teacher, he was AP European History, but in his years he taught just about every course we offered. Room 119 was his court: he held forth with that unmistakable voice, sleeves rolled up and his hands dusted with chalk, striding around the room and engaging everyone, and if you were in his class, you knew you had better be prepared because he was going to call you. I've lost count of how many students cited him as their favorite teacher, the reason they fell in love with history. As a dean of the senior class, he had perfect instincts on how to balance the demand for accountability with the understanding that adolescents struggle and make mistakes. There are a lot of students who made it to the finish line because Mr. Kenerson was at their side. As a colleague? There was perhaps no one more inspiring: despite years of health challenges, he never missed a day or uttered a word of complaint. There was no one more professional: he prepared for class, did his reading, and corrected papers with singular discipline and focus. And there was no one more fun: he laughed a lot, mainly at himself, and made our days better. There was something beautifully old-school about Jack in how he approached life: he did it for kids, he had perfect humility and no ego, he was a team player, and he loved his school. He would not want to hear it or even believe it, but if you asked me what a Taft teacher looks like, I would point to Jack Kenerson. We lost a legend.”

Jack and his wife, Jennifer, raised their three sons, Peter ’19, Nicholas ’21, and Alexander ’24, at Taft. As an alumnus, faculty member, and parent, Jack embodied the continuity of a community spanning generations.

Those who knew Jack will remember his kindness, humility, deep love for his students, and his unmistakable joy on the golf course. Whether coaching a match, encouraging a player after a difficult round, or simply enjoying a walk down the fairway, Jack understood that golf, like teaching, was about character as much as competition. It was one of the many ways he quietly helped young people grow.

Head of School Emeritus Lance Odden reflected on the qualities that defined Jack throughout his life: "From the first days of Jack’s time at Taft, it was clear that he was devoted to being a Taftie. A person of the highest values, he remained consistent throughout his time as a student and subsequently as a faculty member, a person of true integrity devoted to his students and players. What a difference he made in the lives of Taft students for over 40 years!"

We extend our deepest condolences to Jen, Peter, Nicholas, Alexander, and the entire Kenerson family. We know alumni around the world will join us in mourning this tremendous loss and in celebrating a life so generously lived in service to others.

A memorial service in celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Woodward Chapel at 1 PM, with a reception to follow in Laube Dining Hall. 

Jack’s obituary can be found here.