Gerald A. Colwell

Gerald “Jerry” Albert Colwell, 90, of Hutchinson, KS and formerly of Leawood, KS, peacefully passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born August 17, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Dallas Emery and Helen Marie (Park) Colwell.

Gerald graduated from Washington High and spent one year at Kansas City Kansas Community College before earning both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Kansas. He dedicated nearly 38 years to education as a teacher and counselor, spending the majority of his career at Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission South High Schools. Throughout those years, he faithfully served and positively impacted countless students through his guidance, encouragement, and commitment to their success.

On June 3, 1958, Gerald was united in marriage to Jane Ellis at Brenner Heights Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. The couple spent most of their married life in Johnson County, Kansas. Gerald and Jane shared 67 years of marriage prior to Jane’s passing on October 27, 2025.

Gerald and Jane shared a love for travel and the Kansas Jayhawks, taking memorable trips to many final fours, bowl games and the Maui Invitational Tournament in Maui, Hawaii. Many trips to Washington, D.C. were enjoyed while visiting Jane’s family.

Gerald is survived by godsons, Mike (Nancy) Smith and Jeff (Holly) Smith; nieces & nephew, Angela (Chris) Hoffhines, Kim (Steve) Mansfield, and Jeff (Linda) Colwell; great-nieces & great-nephews, Bryce (Lexie) Hoffhines, Leah (Boone) Heston, Corinne Hoffhines, Emily (Cody) Gentry, Paige Mansfield, and Nicole Colwell; great-great-niece & great-great-nephew, Tucker Heston and Paisley Gentry; and sister-in-law, Brenda Colwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dallas and Helen Colwell; wife, Jane Colwell; and brother, Park Colwell.

A joint memorial service celebrating the lives of Gerald and Jane will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS. The service time will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice House, Wesley Towers, or Village Presbyterian Church in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.