We are deeply saddened at the loss of Jack Kain, Sr., and send our condolences to all family and friends who had the joy of knowing him. Jack was an immensely important leader in our industry and association for many years.

Jack grew up on a dairy farm, and while in college, he began to sell cars part-time at a local dealership. While there, he realized his passion for the retail automotive business. Jack served in the United States Air Force and earned his degree from the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 1951.

He acquired a DeSoto-Plymouth store in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1953 and launched his first Ford store in Frankfort in 1959. He later moved his Ford operation to Versailles in 1979, added another Ford store in London, Kentucky, and bought and sold Chevrolet, Chrysler and Nissan dealerships over the years. Jack built the current state-of-the-art facility in Versailles in 2003 and sold the Ford dealership in London in 2012.

Jack Kain Ford in Versailles is now currently run by his family members. Four of his children — Bob, Patrick, Bill and Vickie Kain Fister — work for the dealership and are the next generation carrying on his legacy.

As a trailblazer in the automotive community, Jack has served in various leadership positions at the state and national levels. He was a two-time TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee for Kentucky (1986 and 2022), chairman of KADA in 1982, and held numerous executive positions at NADA, including chair (2005), vice chair (2004), treasurer (2003) and secretary (2002), as well as contributing to the board of the NADA Foundation.

Jack consistently gave back to his community, coaching youth sports, sponsoring local school events and educational programs, and supporting numerous organizations in his local area. He was also a major supporter of organ donations and pediatric cancer research, issues that were dear to his heart.

The KADA family is devastated by the loss of this icon to both the industry and our association. We, like all of you, will deeply miss him.