Jack Lenz

Jack Lenz 85, of Saint Simons Island passed away Saturday, March, 30 at Southeast Georgia Health System, Brunswick Campus. The visitation will be held Wednesday, April 3 from 6 to 8pm with the Rosary at 7:30pm at Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 4 at 10am at St. Williams Catholic Church on Saints Simons Island.

Jack was born September 5, 1927 in Asheville, NC to William D. Lenz, Sr. and Irene Frances Race. He grew up in Augusta, GA with 2 siblings Bill and Flora. Jack spent his youth in Augusta and graduated from Boys Catholic High in 1945. In 1946 he became a part of a weekly teen show, “The Colonial Showboat”, which is how he began his long career in radio. Jack left Augusta to study at Saint Bernard College in Cullman, AL. During school breaks he often traveled to Saint Simons Island which is where he met his future wife Faye Chapman. Jack returned to Georgia in 1954 where he started a “swap show” and is still known to some as the original “Trader Jack”. It was in 1955 that Jack married the talented Faye from St. Simons and they spent 37 years together before her death in 1992. Jack and Faye had 3 children Claudia, Paul, and Lucy. Jack held a variety of positions in broadcasting and found his home at WSB Radio in Atlanta in 1963 where he spent 20 years in the broadcasting field. He was inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame in 2008. Jack married Frances McCoy in 1993 and they made Saint Simons their home until her death in 2010.

Following Jack’s radio career he entered the home improvement field opening his own company, US HomeCraft. Jack was always very involved in the community; he was a certified FIFA referee and could often be seen on the soccer fields. He was an inspiring coach and mentor to many throughout the years. He enjoyed 24 years as a lector and active member of the congregation at Saint Williams Catholic Church. Jack had a distinguished and recognizable voice as well as a respected voice in the community. He was also an active member of the local recovery community.

The best gift of all was having his grandchildren move to the island 4 years ago. This brought great joy into his life and as “Poppa Jack” he has been an invaluable mentor to Chapman, Olivia, Isabelle, and Racie.

Survived by his sister Flora L. Mundy of Kansas City, MO, children Claudia Lenz (Kellye Markin) of Louisville, CO; Paul Lenz of Austin, TX; Lucy Lenz Zantow (Byron Zantow) of Saint Simons Island,GA; and their 4 children; Sister-in-law Claudine Whitman and her children Janet Shearouse (Rick Shearouse) and Craig Monroe (Kathy Monroe). Jack is also survived by 6 children-by-marriage, Wesley McCoy, Matthew McCoy, Michael McCoy, Julie Rehner, Kerry McCoy, Randall McCoy and 9 grandchildren.

He was predeceased by William D. Lenz Sr., Irene Frances Race, William D. Lenz Jr., Faye Chapman Lenz, and Edith Frances McCoy.

In Lieu Of Flowers Please Make Contributions To Either Of The Following: The Heather House, 1119 Old Jesup Road, Brunswick, Ga 31520, Or St. William Catholic Church, 2300 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, Ga 31522. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com