Welcome to the memorial page for
Jack Demmond
May 26, 1919 ~ April 18, 2014 (age 94) 94 Years OldShare Obituary:
Jack Wheeler Demmond was born May 26, 1919 in Joliet, Illinois
Jack was the oldest of five born to Hall and Ruth Ann Demmond.
Following his graduation from Horace Mann High School (1938),
Gary, Indiana, Jack found employment, first with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC);
then at the Carnage Illinois Steel Mill. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He served with honor for 30 years---from Private to Lt. Colonel. From the Pacific of World War II,
The Korean Conflict and finally Viet Nam, Jack worked in aviation mechanics. He was a proud Mustang: An enlisted man who retired as a commissioned officer. In 1955 the Marine Corps Aviation Association recognized his contribution to the Marine Aviation by designating a perpetual award in his name: The Aviation Ground Marine of the Year Award.
Jack retired in 1972 and settled in Titusville, FL with his wife, Mary Lou and their three daughters.
Because he loved people Jack went to work driving tour buses at the Kennedy Space Center. He prided himself on giving “live” (not taped) tours for 10 years. Because he loved woodworking, he set up shop in the back yard and produced family treasures.
Family was his pride and joy. Today, he survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Lou; daughters,
Mary (Mike) Horihan of Knoxville, TN; Andrea (Glenn) Reeves of Port St John, FL; Wendy (Mark) Grantz of Palestine, TX; son, Bob (Juli) Demmond of Kernersville, NC; sister, Nancy (Rich) Myers, of Valpariso, IN; brother, Bruce (Jackie) Demmond of Portage, IN; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Smith; brother, Douglas Demmond; and His parents, Hall and Ruth Demmond .
In lieu of flowers, please support Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 1100 S. Courtenay Pkwy.,
Merritt Island, FL 32952 or a charity of your choice. God Bless the Vitas staff. They are incredible!
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at the North Brevard Funeral
Home, Titusville.
Although born in Juliet, IL, Jack was raised in Gary, IN, the eldest son of a railroad engineer. Following his graduation from Horace Mann High, Jack went to work for six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) before working in the Carnage Illinois Steel Mill. In 1941, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps before his draft number was pulled.
Following boot camp at MCRD, San Diego, CA, Jack headed to Jacksonville, FL to begin a career in the Aviation Mechanic field of Marine Corps. And thus begins a 30 year career.
As Jack tells it: “I held every rank except two; PFC (Private First Class) and WO-1(Warrant Officer-1)”. He started as a Private and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (o-5), with the permanent rank of WO-4 tagging along. Thus he is a proud MUSTANG. In 1952 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant under the Limited Duty Officer Program; although he never felt ‘limited’.
Until his retirement in 1971, Jack never hesitated to do the job assigned. Always in the aircraft maintenance field, he was an instructor; an inspector; a champion for those deserving one on selection boards. He served Generals and he remembered the enlisted Men.
The squadrons he served with include VMSB-142; VMSB-144; VMA-152; VMR-253; VMT-253; VMF-214; VMF-452;VMR-353;VMA-332;VMT-353;VMGR-152. At the time of his retirement he was on the staff of MCCRTG-20.
In 1955, the Marine Corps Aviation Association recognized his service to the Marine Corps Aviation by designating a perpetual award in his name; Aviation Ground Marine of the Year Award.
Jack proudly wore the following Commendation; Navy Commendation w/combat V; Army Distinguished Unit Emblem; Philippine Liberation Medal; Korean Presidential Unit Citation; National Defense Service Medal (2); Presidential Unit Citation w/2*; World War Two Victory Medal; Good Conduct Medal w2/*;Navy Unit Commendation; Asian-Pacific Campaign; American Campaign; Korean Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal.
His Portfolio holds letters of appreciation and commendation from those he served.
Jack was the oldest of five born to Hall and Ruth Ann Demmond.
Following his graduation from Horace Mann High School (1938),
Gary, Indiana, Jack found employment, first with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC);
then at the Carnage Illinois Steel Mill. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He served with honor for 30 years---from Private to Lt. Colonel. From the Pacific of World War II,
The Korean Conflict and finally Viet Nam, Jack worked in aviation mechanics. He was a proud Mustang: An enlisted man who retired as a commissioned officer. In 1955 the Marine Corps Aviation Association recognized his contribution to the Marine Aviation by designating a perpetual award in his name: The Aviation Ground Marine of the Year Award.
Jack retired in 1972 and settled in Titusville, FL with his wife, Mary Lou and their three daughters.
Because he loved people Jack went to work driving tour buses at the Kennedy Space Center. He prided himself on giving “live” (not taped) tours for 10 years. Because he loved woodworking, he set up shop in the back yard and produced family treasures.
Family was his pride and joy. Today, he survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Lou; daughters,
Mary (Mike) Horihan of Knoxville, TN; Andrea (Glenn) Reeves of Port St John, FL; Wendy (Mark) Grantz of Palestine, TX; son, Bob (Juli) Demmond of Kernersville, NC; sister, Nancy (Rich) Myers, of Valpariso, IN; brother, Bruce (Jackie) Demmond of Portage, IN; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Smith; brother, Douglas Demmond; and His parents, Hall and Ruth Demmond .
In lieu of flowers, please support Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 1100 S. Courtenay Pkwy.,
Merritt Island, FL 32952 or a charity of your choice. God Bless the Vitas staff. They are incredible!
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at the North Brevard Funeral
Home, Titusville.
Although born in Juliet, IL, Jack was raised in Gary, IN, the eldest son of a railroad engineer. Following his graduation from Horace Mann High, Jack went to work for six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) before working in the Carnage Illinois Steel Mill. In 1941, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps before his draft number was pulled.
Following boot camp at MCRD, San Diego, CA, Jack headed to Jacksonville, FL to begin a career in the Aviation Mechanic field of Marine Corps. And thus begins a 30 year career.
As Jack tells it: “I held every rank except two; PFC (Private First Class) and WO-1(Warrant Officer-1)”. He started as a Private and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (o-5), with the permanent rank of WO-4 tagging along. Thus he is a proud MUSTANG. In 1952 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant under the Limited Duty Officer Program; although he never felt ‘limited’.
Until his retirement in 1971, Jack never hesitated to do the job assigned. Always in the aircraft maintenance field, he was an instructor; an inspector; a champion for those deserving one on selection boards. He served Generals and he remembered the enlisted Men.
The squadrons he served with include VMSB-142; VMSB-144; VMA-152; VMR-253; VMT-253; VMF-214; VMF-452;VMR-353;VMA-332;VMT-353;VMGR-152. At the time of his retirement he was on the staff of MCCRTG-20.
In 1955, the Marine Corps Aviation Association recognized his service to the Marine Corps Aviation by designating a perpetual award in his name; Aviation Ground Marine of the Year Award.
Jack proudly wore the following Commendation; Navy Commendation w/combat V; Army Distinguished Unit Emblem; Philippine Liberation Medal; Korean Presidential Unit Citation; National Defense Service Medal (2); Presidential Unit Citation w/2*; World War Two Victory Medal; Good Conduct Medal w2/*;Navy Unit Commendation; Asian-Pacific Campaign; American Campaign; Korean Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal.
His Portfolio holds letters of appreciation and commendation from those he served.
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