First, Happy Heavenly Birthday Mr. Wells! I was just talking about how amazing of a man he was with another former LHS classmate last Monday, and I shared with her what I will share now. I moved to Lebanon in October of 1996. I went from Palm Springs High school in California to Lebanon High my sophomore year. I was very, very unhappy and equally or more as anxious to start a new school. My very first day of school I had Language Arts, with Mr. Kerry, 1st period in a modular building and I had my aunt literally walk me into the classroom. He was the most warm, welcoming, fatherly, safe, calm, positive energy I think I had ever experienced at that point in my life and everything I needed in a teacher at a new school. I looked forward to his class, when I dreaded most. I remember one assignment in particular we passed around a paper to write a story with each of us adding a sentence. My sentence included a store in Palm Springs, I was unaware that no one would know what that store was here. When someone made fun of me about it, Mr. Kerry shut it down real fast, in the nicest firm way I had ever seen a boundary be set. I appreciated everything he was. I hope he knew how exceptional he was and that his students knew too.
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I first met Kerry and his brother Kelly when we were students at Oregon College of Education in the early 1970s and became close until my wife and I moved to Japan in 1983. We met a few more times until around 1990. From Kerry, I was introduced to literature, music, and his intriguing views about life. Both he and his brother were mentors to me while I lived in Oregon. I miss the many hours we shared. "What a long, strange trip it's been."
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Kerry had a friend named Bill…
Bill and Kerry shared their feral humor. They were relentless in its enthusiasm. It was unmatched in any sense. It roared with exuberance. Wild untamed, loud and raucous, they were a sheer, uncontainable delight. The days were so young. I had more tears in those days than all my days since crying of loss. Tears of mirth. Youth yet so undefined, we rolled and rollicked, frolicked in the streets of this small town.
Boundaries could not hold them. They were too large. They overflowed onto those of us around them. Filled us with a need. They were ravenous, unquenchable, their thirst never abated. As I now reminisce I hunger again for those bold days. Days that I could not wait to encounter. My own stifled self looking to be tantalized by the wit and humor that swelled my heart and opened my eyes. What fortune! I was rich beyond gold and diamonds, and… I still have that wealth.
I was very young. I had a wonderful friend. His humor changed me
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Wow, I just found out about this. My condolences.
I’m at a loss for words. Mr. Wells was a one of a kind teacher and I can genuinely say that he was one of the biggest influences, if not the biggest overall on my growth and development in my final year of high school and beyond.
He made me realize there was a whole world out there and that it was just a matter of perspective on what that world could be.
I’m going to buy a copy of “In Watermelon Sugar” and read it in your honor.
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Regrettably, I will not be able to attend. Jessica, Jonah, and Jackson, I have been thinking a lot about all of you since Kerry's passing. My son, Ben, enjoyed many of his childhood days at your home, playing with the boys, roaming around your property-throwing sticks for Argus and getting into boyhood mischief, no doubt. Kerry was always kind, patient, and funny. There was never a time when he didn't have a moment to chat when I came to pick up Ben or drop off Jonah. Talking with him was effortless-and he always made me laugh. Kerry had a positive influence in so many young lives-throughout his teaching career and in his role as Jonah and Jackson's dad.
He was a good man, Jessica. It was crystal clear that he loved you and the boys so much. May his memory and love be with you always.
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He was an amazing teacher. He could make everyone laugh and learn at the same time. Wish there was more teachers like him. He will be truly missed by the class of 2004.
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2002, Mr. Wells’ classroom
Mr. Wells- you are missed. Thank you for your relentless encouragement to make me a better writer. On a side note, I spent many hours wondering why this picture was stuck to the TV screen in Mr. Well’s classroom
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Jessica just heard this sad news. Kerry has always been one of my favorite people. I will remember him always. Sincere condolences to you and the boys.
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Wells was by far one of the best teachers I had at LHS. I not only got to have him for two years as a teacher but I also go to be an aide for one of his classes. He made language arts engaging, but not only that class was not just about learning but about life. Sometimes in his classes he would sit up front and just engage his class in a conversation. He had an impact of so many of us!
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I remember sitting on the floor in his classroom along with several other students because so many wanted to be in his class there weren’t enough desks. He had continued signing permission forms brought to him by student after student, after the class size had already reached the usual max, rather than turn anyone away who wanted to be there.
I wasn’t even enrolled in the class that term. I had already taken it & just had a free period in the middle of the day & his classroom was simply a great place to be. Mr. Wells was genuine, sincere, unique & funny. I think we, as teenagers, gravitated toward him without even understanding why at the time. He was a wonderful teacher that will continue to have a lasting impact on so many.
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Ohhh sweet Kerry!! You will be so missed. Thinking of your family and sweet Bo.
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“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
Mark Twain said that, but could have been Kerry. He had such a way with words and was an amazing story teller. We started at Lebanon High the same year, and I always appreciated, respected, and valued his friendship, honesty, and integrity. He always put students first.
Beloved teacher, father, family man, and friend. Kerry, you are missed and left quite a legacy.
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Jessica and family,
Condolences on your sudden loss. May you recall the good, forgive the early departure, live life to it's fullest as you move forward. There will be tough times as you forge forward. Give yourself time to absorb the change.
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