Jack Dale Messer, 73, of Alma, Kansas, died Saturday, July 7, 2012, at the Wamego City Hospital. He was a long time resident of the community.
Jack was born August 1, 1938, in Galena, Kansas, the son of Clifton and Dorothy Williams Messer. He attended local schools and graduated in 1956 from high school in Riverton, Kansas. He then attended Pittsburg State University and graduated with a degree in Physics in 1961and a degree in Secondary Education in 1965. Jack received his Masters Degree in Mathematics in 1975 from Emporia State University.
Jack served in the United States Navy during the Viet Nam conflict. He served in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet.
Jack was a High School math and science teacher. He taught in Carl Junction, Missouri, thirteen years in Spring Hill, ten years at Wabaunsee High School in Alma and his last five years at Pratt Community College.
He was a member and past commander of the American Legion and help establish American Legion Baseball in Alma during the early 1980’s. He was a member of the Spring Creek Community Club, a National Honor Society Sponsor, and a member of the NEA and KNEA. As a member of the KNEA he served as president and was involved with contract negotiations.
What ever Jack pursued, he did with passion. He loved to travel and had visited Europe and every state but Hawaii. He enjoyed carpentry, was an avid K-State fan, and had a passion for rocks, gems and especially genealogy.
Jack married Ruth Berroth on June 7, 1964, in Alma. She survives at their home.
He is also survived by his sons, Jack Dale Messer, II and his wife, Lori, Overland Park and Doug Messer and his wife, Angie, Manhattan; his grandchildren, Joseph Robillard, Keegan Messer, Sara Messer, Shaun Messer and Kate Messer; his sisters, Dixie Robinson and her husband, Phillip, Olathe, Dea Lou Messer, Bonner Springs, and Dorothy Mellott and her husband, Mac, Bonner Springs. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Lisle Messer.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. Reverend Robert Grimm will be officiating. Inurnment and military honors will follow at the Alma City Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church. They suggest memorial contributions to the Jack Messer Memorial Fund to advance education, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.
