Jeffrey L. Jacox
September 17, 2011
On May 23, 1949, a bright light of energy dropped onto Earth in the form of a baby boy born to Fred and Thelia (Bock) Jacox in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We can only imagine the curiosity and creativity young Jeff must have shown as a child. The Jacox family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where both Jeff and his older brother, John, grew up and attended school. Jeff enjoyed his formative years in Fort Dodge, making friends, developing his creative talents, and participating on the swim team in high school.
After graduation in 1967, Jeff decided to broaden his horizons, and headed to George Washington University in Washington D.C. where he studied electrical engineering. This was during the tumultuous '60s in the nation's capital, and Jeff would often make his friends laugh by telling them he had to make sure he was never seen at a televised protest because if he were seen, college funds from home might end quickly.
After four years at George Washington University, Jeff decided to make a "minor" change in career plans, switching from electrical engineering to studying music at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he studied from the fall of 1971 to the spring of 1975. The college is known for its excellence in preparing musicians in organ, piano, and voice. It was Jeff's major focus to study organ performance and prepare for a career in church music ministry. In fact, the music you are hearing at this service today is from Jeff's senior organ recital in March of 1975. This recital was a requisite for graduation and Jeff passed with flying colors.
He had thoroughly enjoyed his time on the east coast, taking advantage of all the cultural opportunities that were offered. But upon graduation in 1975, Jeff made a life-changing decision not to pursue his trained career, but to return to Fort Dodge and enter the world of business with his father, Fred and brother, John. According to Jeff's own words, "I certainly was a fish out of water with the transition, but steadily adapted to the completely different environment of industrial 'culture.'"
Eventually, Jeff became co-owner, sales manager, and Vice President of Bock Bros. Welding Supply Company. In 1992, the company merged with two others to form IaTech Sales Co., where Jeff was co-owner and Vice-President of Marketing. While his career in business was successful and time-consuming, Jeff had time to commit to many other groups in Fort Dodge. He served as President of the community board of the Fort Dodge Symphony and also served as President of Blanden Memorial Art Gallery board of trustees. He was a member of the choir of the Fort Dodge Congregational Church and was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church pipe organ installation committee. In 1996, IaTech was sold; Jeff retired and moved to Des Moines.
As Jeff told the story, he was sitting watching OPRAH one day as a 47-year-old retiree and decided to move to Des Moines, buying a townhome on the south side of the city. Jeff's out-going personality, his fun-loving attitude, and compassion for people soon won him many friends. It seemed Jeff "collected" friends wherever he went. Without a doubt, Jeff was one of the most non-judgmental people who ever lived, as his ever growing base of friends proved to be very eclectic, to say the least.
In 1998, Jeff found his home on Druid Hill that became a sanctuary for him for the next thirteen years. With almost an acre of ground, a bubbling brook in the front and the back of the property, his home was almost an island in the city that gave him the peace, the quiet, and the privacy he craved.
Jeff's creativity, his understanding of building basics, and his desire to have his home constantly evolve led to many re-modeling or "freshening up" projects over the years. The one constant that never changed was Jeff's ability to be the welcoming warm host who could make anyone feel at home. While enjoying his friends and his home, Jeff also found time to volunteer
Pat Huffman
09/24/2011
I met Jeff in 1988.
We have been friends since. As I traveled the nation, Jeff and I would talk and share our experiences, heartaches and happy times.
One rarely has an experience in their life and is lucky enough to have a friend as rare as Jeff.
There will always be those times, when I am in a different city and I will have a situation that must be shared with Jeff, but those moments will wait until we meet again.
I was blessed with his friendship and was able to be with him for a few hours before he started his next great adventure.
Jeff, I love ya and I miss you.
I will always be thinking of you across the miles.
Your friend Pat
Kathy Seward
09/23/2011
I met Jeff when he became 'my' office volunteer at Bethphage/Mosaic. Jeff was the most wonderful volunteer and quickly became a best friend. I was so blessed to have him come into my life for so many reasons. We shared many laughs and tears together. Jeff taught me about computers, how to use a mouse and Word. I can still here him so patiently say "your other right, Kathy" as he was trying to teach me right clicks, left clicks and all that stuff that frustrated me so in the beginning. He helped us buy our first computer then showed me how to hook one up. Another fond memory of Jeff was picking him up one cold winter night for dinner. I was always cold and Jeff tended to be warm. He got in my car and said, "What are you doing, trying to roast a turkey in here?" At his home one evening I saw a deer in his backyard so quickly ran to his frig and grabbed a bag of apples. As I threw the first apple I hit the deer. Jeff never let me live that one down.
Jeff, my dear friend, thank you for all the wonderful memories and being a part of my life. I will miss you but know we will be together again. Please know how much I loved you.
Deb Townsend Lind
09/23/2011
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Jeff's passing. We sold him the house on Druid Hill Drive. I'll never forget when he drove by slowly, turned around and drove back. I ran out and asked if he'd like to see it. He came in and after I showed him around he said "I could be very happy here" and we made the deal that afternoon - even though it was listed by a realtor, I wrote the Offer to Buy myself! He was just a delightful person and I was so glad he was the one to buy it because it was very special home to us. We kept in touch over the years and he invited us back to see one of his remodeling projects - which was spectacular! It was so kind of him to show us what he had done and we really enjoyed it. We all got a chuckle out of the fact that our daughter's former bedroom still had the lamb wallpaper in place! He said he kind of liked it, tongue in cheek!
Jeff was a great guy and the world has lost a little of it's sparkle with his passing. Our hearts go out to you!
Sincerely
Deb Townsend Lind, David Lind, Emma and Maria