Jetmore - Chester “Larry” Berger, affectionally known as Coach B, 81, passed away August 13, 2024 at Hodgeman County Health Center ISB, Jetmore, Kansas.
He was born January 4, 1943 in Spearville, Kansas as the only child of Chester M. and Opal M. (Spreier) Berger. As a youth, Larry lived in four different homes, all near the power plant in Jetmore. He was baptized as a child, and a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Jetmore.
He attended Jetmore Grade School for eight years beginning in 1949. He participated in football, basketball and track.
He attended Jetmore High School for four years, beginning in 1957 and graduating in 1961. He played football his junior and senior years. He played basketball all four years, starting every game his entire high school career without ever missing a single game. He was named to the ALL-WKEA 1st team his last three years, and the Kansas ALL State 1st team his junior and senior years. His Longhorn team qualified for the Class B state tournament in Emporia his senior year. He also participated in track and field all four of his high school years. He finished first in the discus his last three years in the WKEA League track meet, and he finished first in the shot-put his last two years. He finished first in the discus at the State of Kansas, Class B track meet his junior and senior years, setting the state record both years. He won the shot-put event at the same State of Kansas Class B track meet his senior year.
After high school, he attended Kansas State University from 1961-1966. He majored in Physical Education and Health, minoring in Social Studies and Biological Science. While at Kansas State, he played basketball, and was a member of the 1963-64 Wildcat basketball team that qualified for the Final Four and competed in Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
He began his teaching and coaching career in Ness City, Kansas in 1965 after graduating from KSU. He taught in the junior high two years and the high school five years. He coached the basketball team seven years and track six, and assisted with the football team seven years. His 1969 basketball team took 2nd place in the Tournament of Champions in Dodge City, and finished with a 21-2 overall record.
In 1974 he taught school in Mulvane, Kansas. He taught American Government and Physical Education. He coached the basketball team and assisted with football.
In 1975 he returned to Jetmore and taught PE, Biology and Kansas Geography. He coached basketball and assisted in football and track.
In 1979 he taught in St. John, Kansas and coached basketball.
In 1980, he moved back to the family farm in Jetmore. He helped on the farm as his dad was diagnosed with cancer, passing away later that same year. He loved farming and ranching with his dad.
In 1984 he returned to JHS and taught and coached 20 more years. He taught PE and Health, Kansas Geography, and Intro to Biology. He coached Boys and Girls basketball and assisted in football and track. He also coached volleyball one year during this time, and his team finished third in the state tournament. He retired from education in 2004.
In 2005, he moved to Manhattan, Kansas, allowing him to watch the KSU women’s volleyball team, and the men’s and women’s basketball teams. He became close friends and a mentor to many of the university’s women athletes during this time.
He moved back to his beloved hometown of Jetmore in 2014 and has resided there ever since.
Larry had a very distinguished and decorated slo-pitch career. Among his many accomplishments and awards are being inducted to the Kansas ASA slo-pitch Hall of Fame in 1994; being inducted into the Kansas USSSA slo-pitch Hall of Fame in 2015; induction into the Garden City Hall of Fame in 1992; and being inducted into the Kansas City, Kansas Hall of Fame in 2022, being recognized as one of the best players to play slo-pitch softball in the State of Kansas from the 1960’s through the 2000’s. He played slo-pitch 40 years. He played in 15 different states – from New York to Florida to Utah. Was on teams that won 37 state championships. He played in 12 National tournaments. In 1972 his team placed 2nd in the ASA National tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. In his last at bat in a tournament in Hutchinson, he got a base hit single, then ended his career in softball.
He has enjoyed the many past and present friendships in Jetmore, Hanston, Dodge City, Ness City and Manhattan. Many times, he expressed his thanks to all the students, student-athletes, fellow teachers, coaches, friends, teammates, and community members. All of you involved in Larry’s life have made him a better teacher, coach, and more importantly a BETTER PERSON.
Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2024 at United Presbyterian Church, Jetmore, with Rev. Mark Durham presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.
Memorials may be given to United Presbyterian Church or the Jetmore Recreation Commission in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithfuneralhome.com.