[I was recently looking for information on several long-ago Polynesian Cultural Center people . . . when I came across the obituaries of these two very popular people from the earliest days]:
Jack (Jackson Theodore) Regas, 1925–2018; from his obituary, written by his wife, Kit:
Jack took such pride in his family and loved every minute he could spend with his wife, Kit, of 71 years and each of his three daughters, Claudia, Lori and Kathi. He reveled in the time he could spend with all of his 13 grandchildren and felt blessed that they lived so close by as they grew up. He couldn’t get enough of “being” with them as well as any time spent with his 49 great-grandchildren.
He had a wonderful professional career as a dancer, choreographer and television director, meeting so many great people and making many lifelong friends. He treasured them all!
When we joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he became an advocate of all it embodied and offers by accepting any callings and magnifying the purposes of them. Early years were spent working with the youth on road shows, dance festivals and special shows. In later years, he and Kit spent 14 years teaching Primary age children (8-10 years old). He LOVED Primary!…
Another important phase of his and his family’s life — the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had the privilege of working with hundreds of loving, caring Polynesians for seven years and loving every minute of it. They taught us so much about the Church and loving unconditionally, not by preaching, but by living all of its ideals.
Many people could add much more about Jack’s “great life” because he has touched and influenced thousands in his journey, a journey not ending but just beginning in a different place — tap shoes in hand!
[Jack also directed “The Krofft Supershow” (1976), “Magic Mongo” (1977), “The Bay City Rollers Show” (1978); worked on “The Brady Bunch,” “Dance Fever,” and several Elvis Presley productions; and appeared in approximately 30 other productions.]
Catheryne Yvonne “Kit” Schere Regas, 1925-2019 (from her obituary):
Kit was born in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Los Angeles in 1943, where she attended USC and UCLA, majoring in sports and playing golf and archery. She originally had ambitions of being a sports announcer, but left school with health issues and soon got a job at MGM Studio. Actress Donna Reed set her up with contract dancer Jack Regas, and the couple began their 71-year marriage in 1947.
In addition to being a devoted mother to their three daughters, she often teamed as a writer when he was choreographing and directing various productions, including the opening of the Polynesian Cultural Center in 1963 and several Church dance festivals at the Rose Bowl with 13,000 performers.
The couple had 13 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren, for each of whom Kit crocheted baby blankets. Jack used to say, “I love us.”
