Jack James Abbott

Temple resident Jack James Abbott passed away on Monday evening April 23, 2007. He was born on November 6, 1919 to Charles Abbott and Della High-Abbott in Fort Worth where he grew up during the depression. He was an honorably discharged World War II veteran. Joining the Army in October of 1939, he served in the South Pacific and Aleutian Islands during the war, had tours of duty in Korea, Germany and France after the war, and retired stateside at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in December 1955. During his military time he served in the artillery branch, supply services and in the early 1950's helped to direct the Artillery and Indian Museum at Fort Sill. After retirement he spent several years in civil service, and then became self-employed, trying several businesses and finally settling on operating a saw sharpening service. He moved his family and business from Lawton, Oklahoma to Moffat, Texas in October, 1968, and has lived and worked in the Temple area for the past 39 years. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Temple. Mr. Abbott is survived by his wife Doris Abbott of Temple, sons, Jima Jack Abbott and wife Carlie of Mendocino, California, Charles Cortis Abbott and companion Norma Nearhoof of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ronald Richard Abbott and wife Kelly of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by stepchildren Carl and Karen Cranford of Dallas, Mickey and Yuriko Cranford of New Braunfels and Eva Weaver of New Braunfels, 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Della, his older brother, Joseph and his first wife of 25 years, Gladys M. Blanchard-Abbott, mother to his sons. He was a loving father and husband, honest and hard working, a God loving Christian man. He will be missed. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at Bellwood Memorial Park 2:00 PM Saturday, April 28, 2007 with Rev. Larry O'Neal officiating. A family visitation will be held from 6-7 PM Friday, April 27, 2007 at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple. The family requests that memorials be made to the Scott & White Hospital, c/o Development Department for Cancer Research, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, Texas 76508.