John "Jack" Rider

John “Jack” Franklin Rider, 91, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2020. He was born on September 29, 1928 in Des Moines, Iowa to Franklin H. and Edith (Hewer) Rider. He grew up in Des Moines and graduated from East Des Moines High School in 1946. Following graduation, he joined the Army for two years, service for one year in Korea. Following his discharge from the Army, Jack attended Grand View College, graduating in 1950 and from Drake University in 1952. On August 5, 1951 he was united in marriage to Kathlyn A. Janson. They had 2 children, Susan Elizabeth and John David.

Jack’s career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company took him from Des Moines to Spencer, Ottumwa, and Davenport, Iowa. With the breakup of the Bell System, Jack transferred to AT&T and retired from AT&T in 1985. He was a member of several Rotary Clubs and was an active member of his church, serving on several Vestries. He served as President of the East High School Alumnae Association in 1989-90 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2006 and the East High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jack loved sports, participating in football, basketball, and track in high school, basketball at Grand View College, then he enjoyed years of playing golf and tennis and later watching sports on television. After retiring, Jack and Kathy started spending winters in Green Valley, Arizona, moving there full time in 1999. There they enjoyed golf, tennis, and hiking where they accrued over 1000 miles with the Hiking Club. They also enjoyed traveling, taking many cruises and land tours. In 2014, they moved back to Iowa to a retirement community in Clive, Iowa to be nearer to their family.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Susan (Tom) Heck of Lenexa, Kansas; son, John (Terri Felton) Rider of Madison, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Julia (Spencer) Hilt and Eleanor Rider; step-grandchildren, Heather Heck Hull, and Tom Heck III; great-grandson, Jack; step-great-grandchildren, Alex, Ariel, Rayne, Ruby and Grayson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy who died in March of this year; parents; and sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Van Dorn; and step-granddaughter, Katie Cutchall.

A private committal service for both Jack and Kathy will be held at St. Timothy Episcopal Church Columbarium.

Memorials may be directed to the church or charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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