Jack Louis was born October 24, 1921 to Tom and Elizabeth Louis in Austin, Texas and died peacefully March 16, 2018 at the age of 96. He was the 10th of 11 children. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret, Josephine and Sophie and his brothers, Tom, George, Alex, Paul, Benny, Gene and Joe. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Francis, his children, Jack Louis and his wife, Jane, Geary Louis and his wife, Martha, Susan Mangum and her husband, Doug and Sherry Fontenot as well as eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He attended Bickler Elementary School, Allan Junior High School and graduated from Austin High School. He attended the University of Texas for one year before volunteering for the Army, where he was an airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corp. After basic training in San Antonio he shipped out of San Francisco to the War in the Pacific. He survived many days of sea sickness and went on to serve in New Caledonia, New Guinea and in the liberation of the Philippines.
After the War, Jack returned to UT, received his bachelor’s degree and began his career as a teacher. He taught at Pleasant Hill Elementary, University Junior High School and Reagan High School. At Reagan, he taught history and government and later became Dean of Boys. He retired in 1984, as Assistant Principal. He was an ardent sports fan. He was a Life Long Longhorn as well as a Cowboys, Rangers and Spurs fan. He attended UT football and basketball games until his health would no longer permit.
Jack loved his family. He revered his mother and had many wonderful stories about growing up with his brothers and sisters in their two story frame home on East 7th Street. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even as his health was failing, he wanted to know how each and every one of them were doing. He was a dedicated and caring father and husband. He met Francis Petrick in 1949 at a wedding reception. Francis was singing with her brother’s band at the reception. Jack and Francis were married a year later. If there is a match maker in heaven, she certainly made a perfect match. Jack dearly loved Francis as she did him. Despite the challenges that arose as his health failed, they remained inseparable.
Jack was happiest when spending time with his family or working in his yard. He loved to mow the grass and to garden. He was a “pit master” before there was such a thing and his barbecue chicken was the best around. He was beloved by his students and his family and touched many lives. He was never shy about telling you he loved you or thanking you for visiting with him.
While we will miss him terribly, we are comforted by the knowledge that he loved us and he showed us how to love others. Thank you for that gift.
Jack was proud of his Lebanese heritage and proud of his Lebanese mother who raised 11 children. As she said many times: Allah Maeak; God be with you.
Pallbearers will be his eight grandchildren; Matthew Louis, Meredith Louis, Andy Louis, Ashley Zarbock, Lindsey Louis, Sarah Mangum, Joel Fontenot and Josh Fontenot.
Friends and family are cordially invited to a visitation at 6pm and a Rosary at 7pm on Thursday, March 22nd at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Dr, at 10am on Friday, March 23rd. Reception to follow. Graveside service will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.
To share condolences with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.
