Jack Lair

Jack went to be with God and his mom Eileen on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at Bright Kavanagh House, after a 10-year courageous battle with prostate cancer and a 22-year battle with CBGD Parkinson’s. Jack never complained, and through everything always kept his sense of humor.

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Those who knew and loved Jack know he was a man of simple pleasures. Please “come as you are” and feel free to wear something red as it was his favorite color.

Jack was born June 5, 1940, in Des Moines, to Gerald and Eileen (Bruce) Lair. He graduated from East High School in 1959. He married Beverly Stephenson in 1959, and had two sons. He divorced in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in Germany until 1967.

When he returned to Iowa in 1967, he met Janiece “Dee” Schuster, and they were married in 1969. Together they had their only daughter and he gained a step-son. They would have been married 43 years on June 28, 2012.

He worked at John Deere in Ankeny for over 20 years until he retired on disability due to Parkinson’s disease.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Janiece “Dee” Lair; children, John (Lisa) Hedman, Jim (Angie) Lair, Jim (Jill) Lampman, and Jacquie (Mike) Powell; siblings, Jerry (Susie) Lair; Joan Azinger, Judy Wilson, and Joe (Candee) Lair; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, brothers-in-law, Jim Azinger and Jim Wilson, and nephew, Randy Lair.

He loved catfishing on the Des Moines River. Jack enjoyed deer hunting. He loved to watch Chicago and Iowa Cubs baseball and Hawkeye football. Jack raced field trial dogs, enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool. He was always happy to be surrounded by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print