Jack E Dempsey

Jack Everett Dempsey, passed away in the early morning hours on August 20, 2024, at the age of 84. He was born on September 30, 1939, in Centralia, Illinois to Everett Charles Dempsey and the former Florence Joan Meadows. He will be dearly missed by his tight knit family.

Jack Dempsey was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, who served his country for 23 years as an enlisted airman. He joined the military in 1956 at the age of 17 and his career field was in the Intelligence Branch of the U.S. Air Force. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served two Tours of Duty in that country from 1965 to 1967. While in the U.S. Air Force, Jack Dempsey also had tours of duty in Clark Air Base/Philippines; Lake Charles AFB/Lake Charles, LA; Laughlin AFB/Del Rio, TX; Davis-Monthan AFB/Tucson, AZ; Barksdale AFB/Bossier City, LA; Pentagon/Washington DC; Kadena AFB/Okinawa, Japan; and Ellsworth AFB/Rapid City SD. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1979 as a Master Sergeant.

Jack Dempsey was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, the former Marie Louise Zeller of Lutcher, Louisiana and his grandson, Kyle Dempsey. Jack Dempsey is survived by his three sons Brian Dempsey (wife Claire Dempsey), of Pittsburgh, PA; David Dempsey; and Michael Dempsey (wife Jemalyn Dempsey) of Bossier City, LA; granddaughter, Stephanie Dempsey (daughter of Ayse Turpaz), and grandsons Zachary Dempsey and Max Dempsey. He was also a loving dog-dad to Dudley, whom he rescued and adored.

Jack Dempsey’s greatest joy in life was being with and spending time with his family and taking care of his loved ones. In his younger days he enjoyed hunting, spending time with his boys, and all sports. Throughout his military service he played fast pitch softball and played as the pitcher for numerous squadrons that he was attached to and worked with.

There will be a Funeral Mass in honor of Jack Dempsey at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, by Father Ampatt on September 9, 2024, at 9:00 A.M. The family will receive friends and family from 8:00 A.M. until service time. Later that day, Jack Dempsey will be laid to rest with his wife at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville LA at 12:30 P.M.

The family would like to thank the staff at NWLA Veterans Home for their kind and compassionate care. We would also like to thank the many doctors and nurses at the VA Hospital who have cared for him over the many years.