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Cheraw, SC

John Frank “Jack” Van Deman, Jr., 78, of Cheraw, South Carolina, passed away on February 6, 2026. He was born on September 3, 1947, to the late John Frank Van Deman, Sr. and Grace Van Deman.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Kay Hurst Van Deman; his son, John Frank Van Deman III, MD of Greenville, SC; his sister, Kim Van Deman of Littleton, CO, special friends, Leland Assef and Tracy Hellman and numerous other friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents listed above.

Jack was a lifelong educator, coach, mentor, and competitor whose influence spanned education, athletics, and community service for more than four decades. He graduated in 1965 from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he ran track and played football. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1969 and later earned his Masters in Administration at Winthrop.

While awaiting admission to dental school, Jack accepted a teaching position in Chesterfield County—beginning a career that would touch generations of students. He taught physical science and biology at Chesterfield Junior High School and later taught a variety of science courses at Chesterfield High School. During this time, he introduced cross country to the school and coached both cross country and track.

After teaching for 25 years at Chesterfield High, Jack became Assistant Principal at Long Middle School in Cheraw, where he served for 15 years. He continued coaching cross country and track, developing a special passion for pole vaulting. His coaching efforts produced 15 state champions in pole vaulting. Over his career, Jack gave more than 40 years of outstanding service to the SC Athletic Coaches Association and was actively involved with both the SC Track & Cross Country Coaches’ Association and USA Track & Field Association.

Jack received numerous coaching honors and was inducted into the SC Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in addition to being recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the South Carolina USA Track and Field Association. He was also recognized for his dedication to the community with a Community Service Award from the Bennettsville/Cheraw Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

After retiring from the Chesterfield County School District following 40 years of service, Jack remained active in athletics. He continued coaching for three additional years and went on to officiate both youth and college track meets and time cross country events through 2024.

During summers away from school, Jack pursued another lifelong passion- hydroplane racing. His love of boats was fueled by working at his father’s marina in Long Branch, NJ, and his first race was at the age of 15. During his career he competed all throughout the United States and Canada achieving his greatest success in the 2.5 Liter Modified Hydroplane class. His father, a former hydroplane champion, built and maintained the Datsun 240-Z engines Jack raced.

His most successful racing year was 1981, the same year he married the love of his life, Kay Hurst. That year he won the Eastern Divisional Championship in Decatur, Illinois; placed second in the Western Divisionals in Beaverton, Oregon; and later won the National Championship in Dayton, Ohio. He was awarded the High Point Championship in the 2.5 Liter class. In recognition of outstanding achievement in American Power Boat Association competition, Jack was inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions.

One of Jack’s proudest accomplishments was bringing hydroplane racing to his hometown for 10 years. He, with Andy Ingram’s help, started The Palmetto Regatta at Cheraw State Park, which brought hydroplane racers from all over the United States and Canada.

In his later years, Jack especially enjoyed spending time on the water with his family, aboard his 42-foot Hatteras, Tranquille. He also served his boating community on the Board of Lightkeepers Marina where he served as President for several years. Jack was a member of First United Methodist Church in Cheraw, where he served on several committees.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Cheraw, SC, on Wednesday, February 11, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation in the church parlor beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at St. David’s Cemetery.

Jack will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to education, his commitment to athletics, his service to the community, and the countless lives he shaped as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church, 117 3rd Street, Cheraw, SC 29520, National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or a charitable organization of your choice.