Kermit Daum

Kermit Jake Daum passed away July 15, 2022. He was 88 years old. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held Saturday August 6th, from 1pm-3pm at the Cozine Life Events Center at 11500 E. 21st St. N. in Wichita. Tributes and sharing will begin at 2:00 pm.

Kermit is preceded in death by the love of his life, Anne Andres Daum, with whom he shared nearly 60 years of marriage; and parents Jacob and Emma Daum. He is survived by his daughters, Malaura (Bob) Epperson of Wichita, KS, Natalie (Bryan) Shelton of Tulsa, OK, and Melissa (Matt) Johnston of Stillwater, OK; sister Jeanette Friesen; grandchildren, Paige and Nick Epperson, Claire, Jacob, Hannah, and Camille Shelton, Tatum and Miles Johnston; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Kermit was born on February 22, 1934, in McPherson, Kansas. He lived with his parents and sister in Elyria, Kansas and graduated from McPherson High School in 1952. He graduated from McPherson College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and then received his Master of Science in Biology from Emporia State University. Kerm taught science at Derby High School for 40 years, including Biology, Senior (AP) Biology, Human Anatomy, and Physiology. He was awarded National Science Teacher of the Year, served as President of the Kansas Association of Biology Teachers, and was an active member of the Kansas Wildlife Association. Kermit was a passionate educator who loved his subject and sharing his knowledge. He impacted many young lives and is referred to as “my favorite teacher” by many former students, to this day.

Kerm and Anne were longtime members of Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, where Kerm served on various committees, sang in the choir, enjoyed many years of ‘House Church’, and made lifelong friendships. Aside from his bride, Kerm’s greatest joy was his family. He especially took pride in his eight grandchildren and cherished every moment he spent with them. He spoke of them often and beamed with pride as he shared pictures and stories of them. Kerm loved nature and the outdoors, particularly fishing, and appreciated the beauty of God’s creation. He loved watching birds and sharing a glass of wine with Anne in their beautiful backyard in Derby; it was their favorite part of the day.

Kermit had a strong faith and loved the Lord. He was tender-hearted, kind, had a great sense of humor, and a contagious smile. Kerm was a man of character, a faithful son, husband, dad, papa, father-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend. His physical presence in our lives will be sorely missed, yet we grieve with hope, knowing we’ll be reunited for eternity.