Jack Sayre (Dr. Jack) Weinblatt, MD

Dr. Jack Sayre Weinblatt died Saturday, June 13, 2015 at his home in Temple. He was 88 years old. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple. Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, with Reverend Dave Fischer officiating. Burial will be private. Dr. Weinblatt was born November 9, 1926 in Mart, Texas to Harry and Eva Abrams Weinblatt. He lived in Temple for 84 years, attending Temple public schools. He graduated from Temple High School in 1942 and enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. WWII interrupted his studies and he joined the Navy, serving throughout the duration of the war. He earned his medical degree from Baylor University College of Medicine at Houston in 1949 and his post-graduate work was done at Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Jack, as he was known by everyone, practiced medicine in Temple for 60 years before his retirement in 2012. He was married to Wanda Creech Weinblatt for 49 years, and they have four children. In 2002 he was the first recipient of the annual Jack Sayre Weinblatt Award for Excellence in Long Term Care. This award was established in Dr. Jack's name to be given annually by the Texas Medical Directors Association. In 2013 he was given an Emeritus Lifetime Award by TMDA. He has been honored as Volunteer of the Year at the Temple Free Clinic eight times and in 2007 was named Physician of the Year by Vista Care Hospice. His decades of service and dedication to the health and well-being of Temple athletes was recognized by the Temple ISD Athletic Department in 2014, a tribute he highly cherished. He was past president, Baylor University College of Medicine Alumni Association and past president of the Texas Medical Directors' Association. In 1980 he was appointed by Governor Bill Clements to the Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators. For many years Dr. Jack was Medical Director at a number of nursing homes in Temple and Belton, and after his retirement he continued to maintain a special relationship with their staff and patients. He was a former chairman of the Temple Law Enforcement Advisory Board in Temple. He served as physician for the Santa Fe Railroad and for the City of Temple for 40 years. He was also physician and emergency medic for the Temple Fire and Rescue Department, and was named Honorary Fire Chief. Whenever a fire alarm sounded, he was there ready to help, sometimes arriving before the fire trucks. In 1990 with his wife, Wanda, he established the Jack and Wanda Weinblatt Scholarship at Temple College for City of Temple firefighters and their families. In January, 2011 the family donated a bronze statue to the main fire station, honoring Dr. Jack. In 2009 he was named Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers, Texas Chapter. That year he was also the recipient of the Betty Martin Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution National Award for Community Service. He was a supporter of the Bell County Museum, the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum and the Temple Symphony Orchestra. An avid fisherman, he was a recognizable figure on Lake Belton. When the weather was right and the fish were biting everyone knew where to find him. He loved trains, and could often be seen driving through the railroad yards to check on new engines passing through. He loved to travel and he loved Cajun food. But above all, he enjoyed his medical practice and the close relationships with his patients. He often said his work was his greatest hobby. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Frances Weinblatt Wolff. He is survived by his wife Wanda and four children Cathy Weinblatt, Liza Farrow-Gillespie and husband Alan, Dr. Jim Weinblatt and wife Andrea, Jon Farrow and wife Gayle and godson Gary Jones and wife Deborah. He leaves five grandchildren, Stephanie Farrow Durham and husband DaSean, Sarah Weinblatt Henderson and husband Aaron, Jonathan Farrow, Matthew Weinblatt and Ben Weinblatt. Great-grandsons, who brought so much joy to his life, are Liam Durham and Caden Henderson. Memorials may be sent to the Dr. Jack and Wanda Weinblatt Scholarship at Temple College, 2600 S. lst Street, Temple, TX 76504 or to the charity of your choice.