We have lost another of our class members who most of us knew and in some fashion or other loved - his service to our country, his music, his inventions to help truckers and others on our roads and highways, his wonderful smile and that mellow satin voice. How many of us danced to his music both at KHS and in our adult lives, so many. He passed away last night (January 9, 2026) after suffering from Alzheimer's for some time and spending some of his last time in a nursing home. I will post a formal obituary if/when I find one but for now all I can do is share my sadness at losing someone whom I knew from early grade school until we saw him at a KHS65 Christmas function just a few years ago. I personally was in awe of his musical talent - I come from a family of piano players but unfortunately got only part of one of those genes, as I say, I can play the notes (I took lessons off and on for several years) but I can't make the music. Jack did both in spades -around the world and here at home - at KHS, at several restaurants and music venues around town, with the Army Band and at private gatherings all over the place. He played, and provided spectacular musician guests for our 25th KHS65 Silver Anniversary reunion. He played for us at other KHS65 gatherings too, even at the pavilion in Kirkwood Park. He and our late classmate Alan Yount played together for awhile in the Army Band.
Jack's mom and mine were room-mothers together one year and one day while at my house baking cookies, Jack and I were sent out to our front yard to fly a kite by my mom, no big trees or phone lines in the way, to stay out of our moms' hair while they were trying to bake! His mom gave great birthday parties for him, some of which I was able to attend, and there was a great birthday bash for him when he turned 50, his mom talked about those grade school days with me that night.
Sorry to go on and on, I'm so sad today, especially since when Karen Lowe Adams and I were talking on the phone this morning I was driving through Kirkwood on Kirkwood Road and telling Karen what I was seeing; we were commiserating about all the change, some of it great, but some of it costing us the charm of our town...I am always waxing sentimental when I come home from somewhere through Kirkwood or visit friends there. If you haven't been here lately, you should come before even more is gone. Otherwise, my advice is just to cherish the memories you have of how it was. That's what I try to do, as I drive I remind myself of what used to be there so I don't forget, but in a couple places I have!! Below is what I posted a bit ago on my Facebook page, some repetitious, so sorry.... but I feel better saying things about our friends who are no longer with us and whom we will always miss as we remember them fondly. Please stay well everyone. I need a vacation from obituary postings!
Kirkwood friends I am sooo sad to tell you of the passing last night of our wonderful, lifelong for some of us, friend and musician par excellence Jack Toman. Karen Lowe Adams and I were on the phone this morning, we hung up, and she called right back having just learned of Jack's passing. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's for some time, and in a nursing home in recent times. We've lost such a talent and such a good friend but heaven is getting a treat! I can't even begin to count the times I've danced with someone as Jack played and/or sang. When he played at various restaurants around town there were frequently Kirkwood folks present. He allowed my daughter as a little girl to sit on the bench with him as he played at Rick's Cafe Americain in Des Peres years ago. We flew kites together in 4th grade as our room mother moms planned our class parties one year. Who better to have been born on Valentine's Day than a man who could create a loving atmosphere with a few notes on a keyboard or a few bars of a love song? My mom was a clothes horse and bought me a beautiful party dress one year, which I wore to Jack's birthday party. I refused to get rid of it for years, passing it on to a niece when she was the right size, it was such a pretty dress! I know many of us have many happy memories of the joy Jack brought to so many for so long. Think of his playing in the Army Band, how many people he entertained! Wow.... At least now he is no longer suffering. I am sure he is resting at peace with many fans who will have the privilege of enjoying his talents. He and Alan Yount can start up a new band, throw in David Sanborn and heaven will be rocking on for eternity courtesy of these great men from good old Kirkwood, MO! I think I'll work at my desk today with tapes of Jack's singing in the background.
Karen Lowe AdamsLeslie Vander Meulen Richards,
what a lovely tribute to Jack. He certainly was one of the good guys. I
know many of us will always remember his smile, his music and his
ability to always make everyone feel welcome. Our parties were always
more fun when he played for us.
Here is a second post after my first:
Kirkwood friends, do you remember that Jack Toman & his family owned ParkMark, a parking lot/road striping firm? He was very active in the attempt to make highway roadways safer for the drivers and road-side workers. To that end, look at his invention below! A few more bits about him below also.
Licenses & Certifications
FAA Commercial Pilot License - Multi-Engine Rated
Federal Aviation Administration, US Department of Transportation
Volunteer Experience
Wild Bird Rehabilitation Inc Graphic
Contributor/Fundraising
Jan 2010 - Present 16 years 1 month
Patents
Method; - commonly referred to as the 'Dash-Cam' in police cars, etc.; Method, Utility; Highway Work-Zone Intrusion Alarm Device; Method, Utility; Radar Emulator for highway safety; Method, Utility; Non-Visible spectrum signaling for work-zone; more...
Issued February 14, 1982 US (see USPTO data base under TOMAN, JOHN)
Original inventor of the Eyewitness System (dash-cam) in 1982; Inventor, 'Highway Work-Zone Intrusion Alarm'; Inventor, Radar Emulator, 'Myriad SafetyBeam@tm, a radar-based device used on highway construction zone signage to forewarn drivers of hazardous conditions ahead, this device was field-tested and it's resultant and unprecedented speed reduction data published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 1993, the first such safety device to be granted FCC Authorization that same year; Inventor, CORStm (Coded Optical Response System) issued in 1996, a method of utilizing non-visible light signals to activate visible arrays over indefinite distances to warn workers of impending personal danger; One of three inventors; a method of activating tail-lights on large, semi-trailers to forewarn
following vehicles of 'engine-compression braking deceleration', commonly known as using 'jake brakes' instead of normal air-brakes. Jack talked to me about this activity of his and was passionate about it, devoted to safety for highway workers!
