Jack Vandergriff

He was preceded in passing by his parents Frederick Jackson Vandergriff and Helen Vandergriff Tucker, brother, Wayne Vandergriff and grandson, Tony Cox.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Linda Vandergriff, his three daughters, Terri (Dean) Ellis, Janie (Steve) Cox, and Karen (Sheri) Dillard; his five grandchildren, Julie (Kris) Kitzke, Kristina (Tommy) Lippman, Alex (Brianna) Cox, Ellie Dillard and Jackson Dillard; and three great grand children and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack was born in Chattanooga, TN in 1940. He served the Chattanooga community in the Department of Public Works, Engineering Department for more than 25 years, retiring in 2000 as the Chief Highway Construction Inspector. He also served his faith community for nearly 30 years at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in East Ridge through his commitment and dedication on numerous Board and Committee assignments. Jack and Linda retired to Palm Harbor, Florida in 2001, and he continued giving back to his community through service at Peace Lutheran Church where he led the establishment of the Board of Elders and served as the Board’s Chairman for many years.

Jack was forever industrious, as hard a worker as you’d find, and a true man of action. He was the type of person who ‘could fix anything’ and there was always a project to complete and the next one to start. Jack was an accomplished woodworker and picture frame craftsman – creating and selling thousands of pieces that still hang in Chattanooga area homes and businesses today. But aside from hard work, Jack knew how to have fun. He was an accomplished Square Dancer with the Ridge Ramblers Square Dance Club. He was about a 10-handicap golfer, with a hole-in-one to his credit. You always wanted Jack on your team for a game of Horseshoes or Pickleball. And he was nearly unbeatable on the billiard tables, earning him the nickname, ‘Eight-ball Jack.’ This was not his only nickname amongst friends and family, he went by Nugget, Gandaddy, Jackie, Hustler Jack, and Home. When Jack was not in command on the shuffleboard court or riding his bike around their Tarpon Glen Community, you could find him tending to his garden in the Florida heat.

Jack was fun-loving with a quick wit and was always ready to razz friends and family with a zinger. If your eyes met and you asked him what he was looking at, his response was always a prompt, “Nothing special”. Jack was also a man of his word – he did what he said he was going to do – and you’d could always count on him to come through. He was widely respected for his values, honesty, and sincerity – he lived his promise. Jack Vandergriff was the best friend you could have and made us all better people because of his friendship.

The family asks that In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Jack’s name to Peace Lutheran Church, 12708 Memorial Drive, Trinity, FL 34655.

A visitation for Jack will be held from 10:00am-11:00am on Monday, May 22 at Peace Lutheran Church (12708 Memorial Dr, Trinity, FL 34655). Services will begin at 11:00am.