In Memoriam: Jack Jordan Ammann, Jr.
September 30, 2012 by Lillie
Jack Jordan Ammann, Jr. entered the undiluted Presence of the Lord on September 23, 2012.
He was born January 3, 1933, to Jack Jordan Ammann and Louise Mangham Ammann (Carson). He loved to tell people he was born at the insane asylum. His grandparents worked at the San Antonio State Hospital, known as the insane asylum in the days before political correctness. His mother went into labor while visiting her parents, and the hospital doctor delivered Jack in the state hospital.
As a young boy during World War II, Jackie (as he was known) pulled his little red wagon through the neighborhood collecting scrap metal and delivering it to the fire station, setting the tone for a lifetime of passionate patriotism. Jack graduated from Texas Military Institute and entered A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). After four years of college, he was classified as 1A by the draft board. Even though he was taking a five-year course, the draft board only exempted men from the draft for four years of college. He joined the Army as a volunteer rather than wait to be drafted so he could choose his field of work – stereoscopic map compiling. After completing training, he was stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco for a year, where he served as a lay reader at the Episcopal Cathedral. While stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, he spent two months touring Europe. He returned to Texas A&M after discharge from the Army and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering.
Upon graduation, he was hired by Frigidaire Division of General Motors in Dayton, Ohio. He was very proud of the fact the he was the highest-paid engineer in his graduating class with a salary that was $1.67 more than the second highest-paid graduate. At Frigidaire, the section he led held the highest efficiency rating within General Motors.
After three years, he decided “you can take the boy out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the boy.” He left the cold and snow of Ohio to return to San Antonio as an industrial engineer at Kelly Air Force Base. He was part of a small group of engineers from around the country who created a storage manual for the entire Air Force. Later, he was the project engineer for the overhaul of the C-5 engine. He received numerous letters of commendation and certificates of achievement throughout his Civil Service career. As the representative of management in labor disputes, he never lost a case. During this time, Jack became a ham radio operator and loved talking to hams around the world, especially when he had the opportunity to relay messages during crises when no other form of communication was available.
While working at Kelly, he met the love of his life, his soul-mate, Lillian Ann Nicholson. She had a summer job in his department, and when the boss was introducing her to the staff, Jack said, “Tomorrow we’re going to remove all the nameplates from the desks, and you’ll have to remember all the names.” He laughed uproariously at his own joke. Lillian didn’t think the joke was funny, but she was captivated by his ability to enjoy his own joke so much. Jack’s sense of humor always drew people to him, and he “loved a guy (or gal) with a sense of humor.” At the end of the summer as she prepared to return to college, Lillian was telling Jack all her future plans. He said, “When are you going to marry me?” She answered “When are you going to ask me?” He asked, and she answered yes. They married a year later when Lillian finished her education. Soon Lillian became Lillie as Jack so affectionately called her.
Jack returned to school part-time and with Lillie’s help in writing papers, he earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Management. Jack and Lillie adopted their son, William, at age eleven. When Jack retired from Kelly, he enjoyed a number of hobbies and helped Lillie in her plant business. After Lillie was robbed in her retail store, he entered law enforcement and served as a lieutenant in the Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable’s Department for a number of years, achieving the status of Master Peace Officer.
After his second retirement, he realized a life-long dream of driving a bus and worked as a school bus driver. Although he was a strict disciplinarian, the children loved him. Throughout their 45 years of marriage, Jack supported Lillie in everything she did. He was her biggest cheerleader and always believed she could do anything. When she had a stroke, he took care of her and did all the things she couldn’t do for herself. More importantly, he had the attitude that recovery was the only option. Regardless of what it took, it was just a matter of time before she would be well again.
A life-long avid Texas Aggie who “bled maroon,” Jack had a persuasive charm that ensured he always got what he wanted and convinced everyone else they wanted it, too. Jack was a member of All Saints Anglican Church and recognized God’s guidance throughout his life. After he was diagnosed with dementia, Jack sometimes got words confused and talked about God’s “interference.” Whatever word he used, he recognized God’s guidance. A dedicated husband, a loyal friend, and a patriotic American, Jack was smart, funny, opinionated, assertive, upbeat, generous, tenacious, independent, determined, self-confident, perfectionistic, and unconventional.
He is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Lillian Ann Nicholson (Lillie) Ammann; son and daughter-in-law, William and Kathy Ammann of Kemp, Oklahoma; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Sam Rabb of San Antonio, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, David and Cindy Ammann of Bandera, Texas; sister-in-law, Nancy Nicholson of Dilley, Texas; numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews; and caregiver and surrogate granddaughter, Betsy Gonzales.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2012, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.
SERVICE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2012
11:00 A.M.
ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH
11122 LINK DR.
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213
The Very Rev. C. B. (Chip) Harper will officiate.
Interment with Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Anglican Church or Texas A&M Association of Former Students.
Lillie Jack was really an intelligent and competent man that had all abilities that a men must have
Yes, Maja, Jack was very special.
Wow. What a time that must have been if $1.67 was high paid.
bluestocking,
He made $1.67 more per month than the next highest paid engineer. He made $551.67 per month, and his classmate made $550.00.That’s more than $3.00 per hour, high pay, indeed!
Thank you for introducing Jack, Lillie. Despite all his accomplishments, the one nugget information that stands out for me is his little red wagon with scrap metal. It’s so evocative of the period.
Leo,
I just see him pulling that little red wagon through the neighborhood!
Beautifully written! Jack leaves quite a legacy. I love the story about how you met and got married.
Thank you, Deb. I’ve just realized how many lives he impacted even though he was never rich or famous.
Jack is really a good man. Thanks for sharing a bit of information about his life on us Lillie.
He was a very good man, Jane. I was very blessed.
Jack is really ideal spouse and because of sense of humor you have enjoyed a real life with him.
Nawaz,
Jack’s sense of humor filled our lives with laughter.
I feel like I KNOW Jack … you so often spoke of him here. What an amazing man. He leaves quite the legacy behind him. Thank you for allowing me to get to know Jack a little better. Love and hugs. Dominique
Thank you, Dominique. He loved it when I wrote about him on my blog,
Oh Lillie! Reading this makes me feel I’ve known Jack for my whole life. My heartfelt condolences are with you. He indeed was a man who would make anybody proud to have known him. I especially love the bit about when you and Jack met and when asked him to marry you. I pray that Jack is happy wherever he is and that good times lie ahead of you as well.
Chris,
I’m glad you got to know Jack by reading this. He was so special I wanted everyone to know him.
((((((hugs))))) beautiful memorial for a special person. I would have loved to have met hi in person.
Heather,
You would have enjoyed meeting him. If you have a sense of humor, you would have been fast friends after the first shared joke.
Lillie I didn’t know jack but I wish I had. It would have been a privilege to know a great man like him. From your description I know he was a gem of a person and will be thoroughly missed. Hope wherever he is, he sees this and feel happy that so many people cared for him and miss him.
James,
I’m sure he’s up in Heaven smiling to know how much he was loved and admired and respected.
Lillie, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you, Karen. I’m very blessed to have so many family and friends caring for me right now.
Lillie your husband was really nice man and we are very pleased to read his qualities.
Thank you, Azam. Jack was an extremely nice man.
I think this one of the most touching tributes I’ve ever read. No doubt he was a great man. Reading this, I feel proud to be his namesake. Thanks for sharing this with us Lillie.
Jack,
Yes, my Jack was an amazing man, and I was blessed to be his wife for 45 years.
Such a beautiful memorial post, Lillie. I enjoyed learning more about Jack. He was a remarkable man and you must feel very blessed that he was in your life.
Thank you, Dawn. I was very blessed to have been his wife for 45 years. I have heard so many wonderful stories from friends and family that I’m compiling a book of favorite memories.
Firstly, my condolence to you and may the soul of your husband rest in peace. I know this must be a very low period for you but you have to stay strong and build up your will power to do so. You have written this very impressive post in the memory of your husband and he will be so proud of you.
Thank you, Peter. I’m also compiling a little book of “Jack stories” that friends and family have shared with me. Jack was a very special man.
Lillie, this is such a fitting tribute to such a great man. I hope your book on Jack is for the public. I can hardly wait. I’m sure that wherever he is, he is very happy.
Yes, Peter, I will publish the book on CreateSpace and make it available through Amazon.I will also have ebooks on Amazon (Kindle) and Smashwords.
Hi Lillie, I feel honored to know Jack through your words. Indeed, losing someone like him would mean a large vacuum in your heart. But I trust that he is in a happier place now. Waiting to know him a little more through your book.
Linda,
I know he’s in a better place and is whole and healthy again.
I’ll report on the book as it progresses.