Jack Ernest Kamansky

As the sunshine filled his home on Thanksgiving morning, November 22, 2018, Jack E Kamansky left peacefully to be with family who proceeded him in death, his parents Jack and Helen, a son William who was only 33 (d. 1993) and his loving wife, Norma Jean (d. 2002).

Jack was born in the village of Brooklyn, Pennsylvania on October 24th, 1927. He was a resourceful child and at the age of twelve, built his first house of materials refurbished from a torn down church. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Navy where he joined the Naval Air Corps program to receive training to become a naval pilot; he served fourteen months active duty and was Honorably Discharged after World War II when his training ended. Jack then attended Keystone College in Pennsylvania and in 1950, ventured to Brownsville, Texas with a friend to begin what turned out to be a lifelong career in the building industry.

As a general contractor, Jack was involved in all phases of construction; he designed and built many residential homes, as well as offices, schools, supermarkets, retail stores, petroleum stations and churches. He also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Brownsville. It was in Brownsville that a mutual friend introduced Jack to the love of his life, Norma Jean Newcomb, who initially moved from her small town of Columbus, Indiana to serve as a private registered nurse in the Valley.

Jack and Norma married on March 12, 1954 and soon began raising a family, an ideal place for their pink vintage station wagon full of kids to play on the nearby shore of South Padre Island and where many family memories were made.

An ambitious and hardworking man, Jack moved his family to San Antonio in 1963 to pursue new opportunities. He continued to design and build quality homes in several sub-divisions with a friend and partner, Pat Symons. They opened a furniture store that included carpet, alternative floor coverings and drapery departments, as well as a cabinet shop, to better serve their home buyers. They were often featured in the “San Antonio Parade of Homes”, a popular event showcasing their new and model homes for sale.

Later, to best meet the challenges of skyrocketing interest rates and a slowdown in building, Jack and Mr. Symons discontinued their partnership, and branched out on their own; it was at this time that Jack began designing and building homes exclusively in the newly formed sub-division of Windcrest. As one of the first builders to help develop the community, Jack built the original phase of the John Calvin Presbyterian Church that he and his family attended for years. He also built the Windcrest City Hall and served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for eighteen years. Jack built hundreds of quality homes in the area, including the first “garden homes” that he conceptualized as being low-maintenance for the growing number of military retirees moving to the community.

Jack and Norma added a late arrival to their brood, their fifth child, Lisa, in 1969. The family traveled around the USA in their “Winnebago” for holiday fun and to visit relatives and friends; as busy as they were, Jack and Norma were fortunate to have an occasional break and be able to travel to many new and interesting places around the world, including parts of Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and Mexico.

It was in San Antonio that Jack got serious about playing golf and he was an active member of the Windcrest Golf Club for nearly fifty years. He upped his game to four times per week and was lucky to make twelve “holes-in-one”. He also “shot his age” twice when he was 66 and was later able to shoot below his age hundreds of times, until he hung up his clubs at the (ripe young) age of 85.

Jack had an amazing green thumb and anything he planted grew in abundance each season, including hundreds of Meyer lemons, honey tangerines, and blackberries which he shared with family, friends and strangers. He was always willing to help out a neighbor in need and spent years giving his time and resources to help enhance the community and his fellow residents.

In his last few years, he volunteered on the City of Windcrest’s citizen patrol. His sharp mind, determination, dedication and amazing skills will be missed by all!

Jack is survived and fondly remembered by his eldest son John E. Kamansky (Dana), daughters Nancy Winn (Charlie), Carol Robinson (Gary), Lisa Trudeau (Chad); grandchildren Megan Winn, Kelly Pena, Dillon Winn, Jared Kamansky, Kibo Robinson; two great grand-daughters, Mia and Kinsley Pena; sisters Jeanine Stanton, Carol Calloway; a brother Rick Kamansky, and numerous nieces and nephews who reside throughout the USA.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Home, Tuesday, November 27,, 2018, at 3pm, and a reception celebrating his life at the Windcrest Golf Club, 4-6pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.