Jack Dudley Verner Sr.

Born on December 9, 1937, in Monroe, Georgia, to Jack Verner and Margaret Briscoe Verner, Jack developed a lifelong passion for learning, technology, and history.

He married Ann Katherine Verner on August 4, 1974. Together, they raised a large and loving family of four children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Jack and Ann traveled extensively throughout the United States and to international destinations including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam. Jack loved spending time with his family—whether at reunions, one-on-one at home, or in the great outdoors camping, hiking, and capturing the beauty of the world through photography.

A true engineer at heart, Jack had a deep love for technology. He was endlessly curious and always eager to learn about computers, drones, and flight simulators. Even as a young child, he showed strong interests in target shooting and history. In retirement, he undertook an extensive project to research and map his family's genealogy and history.

Jack was drawn to broadcast technology and engineering while still in high school and college. He worked at several radio stations before moving into television. Notably, he was part of the engineering team that built WATL (TV Channel 36) in Atlanta. He later worked at Channel 11 before being hired by Ted Turner as project engineer to build Georgia’s first transmit/receive satellite earth station—an innovation that launched Turner’s cable television enterprise.

As Chief Engineer for Turner, Jack played a vital role in developing technologies for the remote transmission of Atlanta Braves baseball games and the Goodwill Games. He was also instrumental in the technical development of CNN as both a national and international news network.

After retiring from Turner (Time Warner), Jack founded Digital System Technology, Inc., and continued building television stations across the country.

Jack was known for his leadership, kindness, and unwavering support of his family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of warm relationships and deep connections with those who were fortunate to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Verner and Margaret Briscoe Verner.

Jack is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Ann Katherine Verner; his children, Jack (Lee) Dudley Verner, Jr. [spouse: Robyn Greiner Verner], Tracy Fessenden Hunter, John Frazer Burnet, and Katherine Burnet Pratt; his grandchildren, Erin Nicole Morrison [spouse: George Morrison], Russell Thomas Fessenden [spouse: Emily Fessenden], Margaret Rose Verner, Samantha Simon Summers [spouse: David Tatum], Jack Dudley Verner III, Michael Paul Verner [spouse: Chelsea Verner], Haley Suzanne Bouchard [spouse: Matthew Timmons], Johnathon Dove Bouchard, Samuel Ray Bouchard, and Darryl Hunter Burnet; his great-grandchildren, Nicholas Morrison, Evan Morrison, and Aubrey Morrison; and his brother, Terry Wyman Verner, Sr. [spouse: Brenda Verner].