APRIL 26, 1927 - April 14, 2017
Jack Bryant Carruthers was born April 26, 1927 in Akron, Ohio to Helen (Chilcote) & Clyde Carruthers. He was the eldest sibling to brother William and sister Ruth.
Jack attended Barberton High School (Class of 1946) where he lettered in both basketball and track. In April, 1945, at the age of 17, he left high school to join the United States Navy during World War II. He reported to Great Lakes Naval Station for Basic Training where his advanced swimming skills earned him a stint as a lifeguard. One of his favorite stories to tell was of observing young recruits taking their swimming test in the pool. It was Jack's responsibility to stroll the pool side and if/when a recruit was unable to swim, he would jump in to “save” them. He smiled when he spoke of the many lives he ”saved” during WW II.
Following Basic Training, Jack was transferred to the U.S. Naval Training & Distribution Center at Camp Shoemaker in California. As the only young enlisted man who had taken typing and other business courses in high school, he was assigned as the storekeeper where he doled out uniforms and other supplies. His pride in his service during WW II increased as time went on and he began to proudly display his service by wearing a WW II Veteran hat which always sparked conversations with strangers---which he loved.
Following his Honorable Discharge in 1946, Jack joined Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. back in Akron where he spent 10 years opening computer centers in seven states. In June, 1951, he married Margie Schwarz and from this union, three children were born, Sandy, John and Jim.
After his successful career with Firestone, Jack entered the banking industry and joined 1st National Bank of Atlanta where he served as manager of their computer center for more than 20 years. He graduated from Louisiana State University's School of Banking while working for 1st National. He went on to serve several banks including Sun Bank of Florida (now SunTrust) and C & S Bank where he retired in 1987 as President and CEO of their statewide Data Center in Fort Myers, Fl. in a building that now houses the Lee County Sheriff's Hdqtrs. While in Orlando, Jack proudly gave back to his community as the President of the Orlando Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.
It was while working at C&S that he met and later married (Nov 1987) Cathi Halvorson Woolm, and took on a new role of loving stepfather to Cathi's children, Melissa 14, and J.D. 11. Upon retirement, Jack and Cathi opened a cookie bouquet business - “Lovin' Cookies” where they worked side-by-side every day (and many nights). They both enjoyed bringing smiles to their customers' faces through fun cookie bouquets.
After three years of “cookie fun”, Jack and Cathi needed a change of pace so they both joined their friend, Faye O. Jones at Wellington Academy. Jack held the title of Facilities Manager for the company's five childcare buildings throughout Florida, but “Mr. Jack” was truly a “Jack of all trades.” Whether installing fences, painting walls, or removing the occasional snake from the playground, Jack did whatever was needed to keep the nationally accredited pre-schools running smoothly. He made many friends while at Wellington including teachers, parents and young children. And even though he could never understand how children could shove so many toys into a toilet, he was always happy to assist. The children would ask, “Whatcha doing Mr. Jack?” and his response was inevitably followed-up with the inquisitive, “why?”
Jack was an exceptional athlete his entire life and was always much younger than his actual age. He played softball from age 14 in church leagues, with a highlight pitching in the Senior Softball World Championships in Phoenix in 1997 at age 70. He was President of the over-50 softball league in Ft. Myers for many years.
He was also fascinated with old cars, and spent many hours restoring them. Much of this work was successful, but sometimes not-so-much. He didn't care. He was especially proud of the 1991 Cadillac Brougham he inherited from his father-in-law. He loved that every time he drove it, someone would stop him and ask if it was for sale (it wasn't).
A favorite hobby of Jack's was fishing whether it was catching amberjack while deep sea fishing or barracuda in the Florida Keys, salmon in Alaska, huge ugly carp in an Iowa river, or little bait fish on his home dock, he loved it all. He especially enjoyed teaching the “grands” from a very young age, even though he had to put the worm on the hook and then take the fish off so they could ”throw 'em back”. One such grandson now fishes for shark off the Sarasota beaches.
Jack grew up playing cards with his parents and during his time in the Navy, and developed a love for Poker – specifically Texas Hold 'Em. For many years he enjoyed an annual pilgrimmage to New Orleans or Las Vegas with his stepson JD and son-in-law Chris. Family games were played during Atlanta & Iowa vacations, and after every holiday get-together the poker chips came out. We know this will continue in his honor, with all sorts of “Jack stories” being shared. Annual Atlanta visits always included poker with Sandy and Jim's families. In 2015 he loved including some of the “great grandboys” in poker, and his namesake, Mack Bryant, age eight, did so well that he hung in the game longer than many adults. Whether it was poker, or shooting pool, tennis or bowling, they all wanted to “beat the old man”.
He loved flying to Vegas to find a poker room back in the days when they were few and small. One year, Jack, JD, and Chris took part in a “guy's weekend” in Vegas where they attended the Phil Helmuth Poker Camp to sharpen their skills and play against some of the game's best. It's still not clear how much was learned or lost over that weekend. At ages 85 & 86 Jack played in the “Senior World Series of Poker” joining more than 4300 other seniors. Jack's oldest son, John, played alongside his father at those events which created a wonderful memory for both of them. In recent years, Jack played poker at the local dog track where he was beloved by players and staff alike!
Jack's heart was creative and huge. One of Cathi's favorite stories concerns a Christmas gift. Jack typed a promise that he would plan, shop for, and cook dinners for an entire month! Is there anything a working wife would rather receive? He kept this promise, and they chuckled about it for years.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Clyde & Helen, brother
William, sister Ruth Cikity, and his first wife Margie.
He is survived by his wife Cathi, daughter Sandy Skinner (Steve), son John (Debra), son Jim (Rhonda), stepdaughter Melissa Tomasso (Chris), and stepson JD Woolm (Tricia) as well as 10 grandchildren: Alan, Kevin, Chris Skinner; Kyle, Dakota, Jennifer Carruthers; Jared & Malia Tomasso; Kellen & Eva Woolm. He also loved to tell people he was proud to have 20 bright and beautiful great grandchildren.
More than anything, Jack will be remembered for his kind heart, his sense of humor, his love for his family, for chasing flushes and his willingness to do anything for anyone. He is loved and missed by all who were fortunate enough to have had him in their lives.
A Service Of Remembrance will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Cypress Lake United Methodist Church 8570 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919 at 3:00 P.M.
Arrangements under the direction of HODGES-KISER FUNERAL HOME, Fort Myers, FL.
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