Jared was ten years old when he passed away on October 5, 1998 after a long courageous battle with leukemia.  Jayne, Jared’s mom, passed away on December 17, 2006 after a difficult fight with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  We miss them both deeply.  

This event is committed to remembering Jared and Jayne and all they both stood for and what is important in life…love, faith, strength and courage.  We will honor their lives as we come together to celebrate the time we had them on this earth.  We hope you will join us. 

With love and appreciation,

Tom, Meghan and John Jared Coones 




Jared lived, played and attended school in Olathe. The 5K (3.1 mile) certified course will wind through the residential areas Jared knew best. The race will start and finish at the school Jared attended, Black Bob Elementary School. Jared had a profound impact on this school and his classmates. You can still feel his presence when you see his framed photo and art work in the school lobby. Inscribed are the words, "Forever in our hearts, Always a Black Bob student."

The course will take you past Jared's home, a place he filled with love and laughter. Jared's favorite time of year was fall. He loved to visit the pumpkin patch where he would try to pick out the biggest pumpkin in the patch. As you run or walk the course, watch for a pumpkin patch at Jared's house.



Because of the Pumpkin Run, Jayne will probably always be best remembered as Jared, Meghan and John's mom but to the countless lives she has touched she will be remembered as a faithful friend, compassionate listener, lover of children, dedicated mother, and a caring, loving person. There simply are not enough beautiful words to describe Jayne or the spirit she embodied. We are all going to miss Jayne profoundly and deeply - her presence is missed in our lives and her absence will certainly be felt at each year's race.

Jayne, as remembered by a friend. "Jayne Coones was a great woman, but she was not great because she wielded power, accumulated wealth, held public office, or authored books. A marble monument will never be erected in the town square in her honor, and a bronze plaque bearing her name will never be placed on the wall of any great public building. They would both be inadequate.

Jayne was great because she was a servant. She has served her husband by loving him faithfully. She has served her children by loving them playfully. She has served the Lord by doing His work. She has served her family and her friends by her example of undying faith, unwaivering courage, and intercessory prayer. She has served everyone who has known her through kind words, an outstretched hand, refreshing joy, and laughter."