Jack E. Allison, Sr. was born March 12, 1926, in Erie, Missouri to Elmer and Zona Allison and departed this life for his eternal home on July 18, 2022, at the age of 96 years. He attended White Rock School in Jane, Missouri, graduating with the class of 1944. He had plans to attend the College of the Ozarks, but the early death of his father (and Hitler) led him to change his plans and stay home to help his mother in the family's general merchandise store. He managed the family store from 1944 until 1946 when he joined the Army. The grocery business became his lifelong occupation, as after marriage, he worked for several grocery-supermarket chains until his retirement. Jack was married on July 16, 1945, to Doris Jean Beaver, and together they had two children. His son Jack and wife Judy were his constant caregivers and companions, in Flower Mound, Texas. His loving (and respite nurse) daughter, Cheryl Myers and husband, Dan (his hunting and fishing buddy) visited often and called nightly from their home in West Plains, Missouri. Jack joined the US Army on April 26 1946. He told many times of how he rode a bus to Kansas City, was given paperwork for the 11 guys he was traveling with, took another bus to Ft Leavenworth where they stayed for a week before taking a train to Ft McClellan Alabama for basic training. After basics they took a train from Ft McClellan through Kansas City and Colorado on to their interim destination of Camp Stoneman, California. After arriving at Camp Stoneman they were marched to small boats that took them under the Golden Gate Bridge out to the ship that took them on to Japan. Jack was very proud of his service as an Administrative NCO 502 in the 8th Army AG Publications Depot in Japan. He was in charge of the Shipping Section and 20 men engaged in sending out Army publications and manuals to various units. For his service he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. He also earned the Sharpshooter Medal on the M-1 Rifle. Jack received an Honorable Discharge on October 30, 1947. When Jack wasn't working his favorite pastime was to just take a long car ride, which was a pretty often Sunday occurrence. After retirement, Jack and Jean spent their time traveling to all 50 states. They had many stories to tell of their fun times together. They drove everywhere they went—except to Hawaii. They even drove to Alaska twice. Along with his children, Jack is survived by three grandchildren, Janice Ernst and husband John, of Xenia, Ohio, Julie Bravi and husband Mark, of San Antonio, Texas, and Danny Myers and wife Molly, of Columbia, Missouri. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren, Jordan Ernst, Allison and Alexander Bravi, and Will, Layla, Suzi and Sadie Myers. His older sister, Ione Higgs of League City, Texas, also survives, as well as many nieces and nephews who were very special in his life. Jack had many names that were attached to him throughout his life. Jean would affectionately call him Big Daddy; he was Grandpa, Paw Paw, Mr. GG, and Great Paw Paw to his grand and great grandchildren, and Big Jack to his nieces and nephews; but Dad was the name most cherished by Jack and Cherie. He attended church at Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church with Jack and Judy until the COVID pandemic forced him to stay home. Then, like many others, he watched on television at home.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 2 brothers, Kermit and Howard, and 2 sisters, Irene and Thursey. Also passed on were his mother- and father-in-law, Pearl and Logan Beaver and all 6 of Jean's brothers and sisters and their wives and husbands. A special nephew, Gary Mahurin, also preceded him in death. My sweet daughter-in-law Molly sent me some consoling words at Dad's passing which I feel described Dad perfectly. She said he was "steady and kind. A great man". Funeral Services are set for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow. Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home 3800 West Walnut, Rogers.