Jack William South

June 27th, 1926 – Oct 4th, 2024

Jack William South peacefully passed away on October 4th , 2024 at his home in Hemet, California. Jack was born on June 27th , 1926 in the city of Ft Madison, Iowa.

Jack grew up on a farm near Donnellson, IA, and lived through the Great Depression which made a lasting impact on his life. His parents later moved to Montrose, Iowa where he attended high school and graduated in 1944. He held a couple of interesting jobs during his early years. One was in 1942 delivering ice to the Ft Madison prison. He complained about having to back the truck up the hill as the forward gears were too high. He also worked as a deckhand on a barge traveling up and down the Mississippi River in the summers of 1943 and 1944.

After he graduated High School, he enlisted as a cadet in the Army Air Forces (AAF). He hoped to be a pilot, but was given the assignment as an airplane mechanic. He spent 2 years receiving basic training at sites across the U.S. When he finished training, the war was over and he was shipped to Guam to relieve the troops that had been based there. Upon return in late 1946 it was too late to start college so he got a job working for Shaefer Pen Co. When the fall came, he attended college at Iowa Wesleyan College (go Tigers!) where he earned his B.S. in Education in 1951. After graduating, he met Rosemary at a dance and they quickly became a couple. He started teaching in Ringsted in Northern Iowa soon after graduating, and married Rosemary in 1952. In May of the following year his first son, Donald was born. In the summers, Jack began working on his Masters Degree, attending the University of Iowa (go

Hawkeyes!). He continued to teach in Ringsted for 4 years, and in 1956 his second son, Michael was born. They then moved to Charter Oak where he taught for 3 years.

 Jack had graduated and had his Master’s degree. He was hired as the Superintendent of Schools in Grand Mound, Iowa. After 5 years, Rose wanted to move to California to be closer to her 3 sisters and brother who had all moved to San Diego. Jack was tired of the snow, so he agreed and sought work in California. He accepted a teaching position in Hemet where he was to teach 8th Grade U.S. History at the Hemet Junior High School.

 Jack continued to teach at HJHS until his retirement in 1986 at the age of 60 and looked forward to indulging himself in his many pastimes. These included, reading, visiting family, traveling, watching sporting events and participating in various sports (bowling, golf, tennis, bocce ball and more). His favorite was tennis and he played well into his 90s.

Jack is survived by his son, Michael South and his wife Pamela, grandchildren Michelle and Bryan South, his sister Doris Dorethy, brother-in-law H. Paul Hagmeier, nephews William and Jeffery Dorethy, and niece Deborah Garrick. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John William and Clara South, wife Rosemary, son Donald South, sisters-in-law Mary T. Smith, Katerine Hagmeier, and Louise Garrick, and his nephew James Garrick.

He will be interned at the Riverside National Cemetery where Rosemary has been waiting.