JACK EIGHMEY
1929 - 2017
Obituary
Born on May 8, 1929, in El Dorado, Jack
Dean Eighmey walked into the loving embrace of his parents, Paul and
Myrtle; younger brother Bill; and grandson Aaron on Thursday (Aug.
31, 2017). At the time he left us, Jack was at peace, at home and
surrounded by his family.
Jack Eighmey was the eldest son of
three boys. His brother, Paul William Jr., passed away in 2000, and
Jack is survived by his youngest brother, James Bruce Eighmey of
Kansas City. He is also survived by his wife, Judith Eighmey; his
daughter, Jan Conard; his son, James Eighmey; his grandchildren,
Katie and Spencer Conard; his nephew, Brent Eighmey; and his
sister-in-law, Joan Eighmey.
Jack was a Naval veteran who served
from 1950 to 1954. He was deployed on the U.S.S. Midway for a
European tour during the Korean War. After leaving the service, Jack
was employed by the Defense Contract Administration, during which
time he worked on the team building the Saturn V rocket. He retired
in 1989 after 37 years.
To Judy and Jack were born two
children; James in 1959 and Jan in 1962. The family first resided in
Newton, then Neosho, Missouri, during the space program years, and
finally Mulvane, where their children attended high school. Jack and
Judy retired back in Neosho, Missouri, before finally moving to the
Lawrence area in 1995 to be closer to their first grandchildren.
Jack was a skilled mechanic and model
aircraft hobbyist. He was a member of several model aircraft clubs
over the years. Jack and Judy loved outdoor sports, and passed this
on to their children from an early age through fishing, hunting,
camping, canoeing and backpacking. The family traveled every summer
throughout the United States, especially the west. Both Jack and Judy
were active volunteers in Scouting and Jack accompanied his son on
many adventures.
Jack Dean Eighmey remains always
beloved by his family as a father, friend, husband and brother. What
love we can have in this world, we hold for him.
Graveside services will be held at 11
a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2017) at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. A
public visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 4,
2017) at Petersen Funeral Home.
Memorial funds will be accepted by the
family for donations to the Visiting Nurses Hospice Services and The
Aaron Eighmey Eagle Fund BSA, in care of Petersen Family Funeral
Home. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
