Dr. Jack Zorn

Dr. Jack Zorn, D.R.Ed., 86, peacefully ended a long, well-lived life at his daughter’s home August 12, 2021, after a lengthy illness. Services will be held Saturday, August 28, at the University Church of Christ, 5315 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL, at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:30 at the church building.

Born November 8, 1934, on a sharecropper’s farm in Geneva County, AL, Jack was often kept out of school to work on the farm. He struggled with a severe stutter, and the family dealt with poverty and an alcoholic father.

Jack developed several traits during his early years that became the foundation of the man. First, he had a strong work ethic that took him from Alabama to Florida for work, through college, and to found Lads to Leaders, the first youth leadership training program in the Churches of Christ. Second, he had a thirst for knowledge, eventually earning four degrees. In addition, he was goal-oriented and a visionary. Most importantly, Jack had the ability to share his vision with others in a way that made it their own. He had a servant’s heart, natural optimism, a wonderful sense of humor, and a love of adventure.

At 17, Jack hitchhiked to Florida in search of employment. He found much more there: salvation. His thirst for knowledge spurred him to read and study the Bible in every spare moment. That thirst also took him to Alabama Christian College (ACC). There he convinced the school to let him enroll, first to earn a GED, then associates and bachelors degrees and to give him a job to pay for the classes. He did indeed earn both and met and married the love of his life, Frances Johnson. While at ACC (now Faulkner University), Jack preached at several congregations across Alabama.

After leaving ACC, he preached in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana, starting new congregations in the latter two states. He also earned a master’s degree from Harding Graduate School and a Doctor of Religious Education degree from the International Bible Institute and Seminary. In 2017, Jack was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Harding University for his contribution to the development of Christian leaders through Lads to Leaders. Earlier this year, he was honored by Faulkner University as the 2021 Alumnus of the Year for his “lifetime of service dedicated to the Lord’s work, his ingenuity and his love for young people.” He also was a professor at two colleges and served on the Faulkner Board of Directors for several decades.

In 1968, Jack noted the turmoil in society and lack of leadership skills in youth. Believing leaders are developed, he began the first Lads to Leaders class with eight boys at the Warner Robbins, GA, Church of Christ. His goal was to train leaders at home, church, and in the community. The boys spoke at schools, churches, community organizations, and governors’ prayer breakfasts. Jack worked tenaciously to develop the potential he saw in the youth he met. Along the way, Frances began to work with girls, expanding the program even more. To date, a quarter million have been trained by the program, some encompassing three generations. Eight regional conventions are held each year across the country and four internationally, allowing students to display and refine their skills. Countless lives have been positively affected by Jack and the youth he trained. Even after retirement, he continued to encourage youth and adults alike to excel.

Along the way, Jack earned his pilot’s license, flying from one small town to another to hold workshops and start new Lads programs. A teacher at heart, he taught several people how to fly.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and twin sister, Chasie Walker. He is survived by daughters Resa (Herbert) Byrd, Rhonda (Halo) Fernandez, and Sonya King, five granddaughters, ten great grandchildren, sisters Ina Griffith and Betty Brown, a brother, Buddy Pryor, and numerous nieces and nephews. He and his red coat will also be greatly missed by the many young people he mentored and inspired.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lads to Leaders Zorn Memorial Fund through the program’s website, www.lads2leaders.com, or sent to Lads to Leaders, 5280 W. Alabama Christian Dr., Montgomery, AL 36109.