William Jack Gist

William Jack Gist, age 91, of Tyler, passed from his earthly life and into the arms of his Lord and Savior in the late evening hours of Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. Jack was born on August 28, 1921 in Winnsboro, TX to William Vance and Ruth Rebecca Mattox Gist; they preceded him in death. Jack attended college at East Texas State University and the University of Texas. He proudly joined the United States Army in 1942 and served his country as a First Lieutenant and saw combat in France where he earned a Purple Heart. Jack married his sweetheart, Ruby Belle Jamison, on March 6, 1945 at her parents’ home in Austin. After 67 years of marriage and life-time of memories, Ruby passed away on December 19, 2012.

Jack retired from Steck Publishing and Printing as an Administrative Executive after 21 years of dedicated service. He was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church and was a member of the Care and Share Sunday School Class. Before moving to Tyler in 2000, he was an active member and a deacon of Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown, TX. Jack was a role model for all who had the privileged of knowing him. He was a very strong and stoic man who had a very sensitive side, especially when it came to his beloved family. Though he was a strict father who never wavered, he had a sense of humor and gentle touch that would always comfort his loving children. Jack was a true World War II gentleman and a proud family man who will be missed by all who knew him.

Jack is survived by two children; James Michael Gist, and wife Suzy, of Duncan, OK and Kathy Ann Roper, and husband Phil, of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Lindsay Leigh Toth, Jarrett Cade Gist, Geoffrey Ryan Roper, Lauren Elizabeth Roper, Amy Michele Gist, and Michael Vance Gist; and by great-grandchildren, Carson James Toth and Caleb Knox Gist.

He was also preceded in death by one son, William Jack Gist, Jr.; one sister, Martha Ruth Cobb; and one grandson, William Patrick Gist.

Services for Jack and Ruby Gist will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Lloyd James Funeral Home with Dr. Darryle Dunks officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service Saturday morning.