Jack Jeffs

Jack Junior Jeffs, loving husband and father of four children, passed away peacefully on his 91st birthday, July 17, 2020. Jack was born in Dallas, Texas to Easter Mae Snow and Walter Johnson. His early years began in rural Madison County, and according to Jack, he walked miles in the snow, every day, uphill, carrying a big rock, to the old Peru School House. He married Beverly ‘Jean’ Hircock on February 11, 1950 in Davenport, Iowa, and together they had three sons, Terry, Randy and Mike, and one daughter, Cinde. More than 25 years later, after Jack retired as Superintendent for Martin Marietta Aggregates, he and Jean finally set out to see the world. When they ran out of countries to visit, they loaded up kids and grandkids in trains, planes, and automobiles, and off they went. Every stop was planned strategically to bring family members together for priceless lifetime memories, including Disney World, zoos, campsites, spas, cruises, waterfalls, and Canadian fishing holes. They went everywhere together, and along the many miles, they taught their family to love and experience life, to appreciate their individual choices and paths, and to be happy with the little things while always reaching for the gold. Jack was an avid music lover and held nothing more dear than a backyard hoedown, with guitars and banjos, lyrics made up on the fly, homemade ice cream with fresh picked strawberries, and croquet games on the lawn (but only if he was winning). He was known for his quick wit, an infectious smile, and a kind compassionate spirit. He was always looking for that next something to do and was always ready to offer a helping hand (whether it was needed or not). ‘At rest’ was painting the house or tending his perfect lawn; ‘at play’ was picking and strumming and stomping that square dance floor; and ‘at last’ would always be the bobber watching, the “reel it in slow son,” the “pull up a bucket and have a seat,” and then, of course, the stories would flow. Jack was preceded in death by his mother and father; his sister Wilma; his first love and wife Jean, and his second love, Evelyn Eckles. He is survived by his four children; sister JoAnn Wiley of Adel and brother Everett Jeffs of Rogers, Ark.; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from noon until 1:30 pm at Caldwell Parrish Winterset Chapel, followed by a private family burial service at the Winterset Cemetery officiated by Jack's nephew Kevin Hircock with soloist Sasha Alexander (granddaughter). Pallbearers will be grandsons, Josh and Justin Jeffs and Jared Alexander, and great-grandson, Jack West. Honorary Pallbearers will be great-grandsons, Luke Briney, Carter Jeffs, Gavin Jeffs, Owen Jeffs, Dublin Harney, Juneau Harney and Alex Hall. Donations in Jack’s name may be directed to the Madison County Memorial Hospital and its in-house Hospice Care (EveryStep Hospice) or online to the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org).