Jack M Pappy

A man beyond measure, Jack Marcus Pappy peacefully joined his Lord and Savior on February 12th, 2019 in the comfort of his home, two houses down from the place he was brought into this world 90 years ago.

On March 1st, 1928 Jack was born at the end of Pappy Road in a loving home that raised a gentle, humble, and hard-working man. The Lord guided him to the love of his life, Janie Pappy, at a church dance. He courted and married her within a year, in the summer of 1950. Jack served his country as an Army Reservist, Private First Class, and Supply Sergeant at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, before moving back home to Jacksonville, Florida where he and his wife, Janie Pappy had planned to raise their newborn son, Larry and their future children.

Having saved their money, and receiving a gift of land from Jack’s parents, Jack and Janie began building their iconic home on Pappy Road while Jack was stationed in North Carolina, and upon moving back to Jacksonville, presented the completed home to his wife as her first Mother’s Day present.

Together, Jack and Janie raised six children in their small, loving home which later would become the center of many family celebrations throughout the years. Jack was also an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church all throughout his life, sharing his time, talents, and treasure.

Never afraid of the work before him, Jack worked in a myriad of professions before and after his service, but most notably was a renowned Master Electrician and Engineer, having designed and planned the first underground residential distribution in the Jacksonville area. Never a man to sit on his laurels, after retiring from the City, Jack started his own electrical company, and then went on to work for Allstate Electrical Contracting before retiring again.

Retirement for Jack was hunting, fishing, and toiling in his two-acre garden. He enjoyed taking both his children and grandchildren hunting and fishing in the Mandarin area. Behind his home, he would grow an array of fruits and vegetables that were among the freshest in Mandarin and shared with family and friends alike. These he often advertised for sale with a hand-written sign at the end of Pappy Road.

Jack is preceded by his parents, Zerney and Nora Pappy; his brothers Zerney, Gene, and Wallace; his sisters Norma, Dorothy, Eloise, and Pauline; and his grandson, Chad.

Jack was a devoted husband to his wife and “Queen” Janie; a beloved father to his children Larry (Cheryl), Patty (John), Jack (Renee), Cheryl (Lavelle), Donna, and Bruce (Donna); a gentle and kind grandfather to sixteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

The family will hold his memorial service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church—11757 Old St. Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32258—on Tuesday, February 19th at noon. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Janie Pappy asks that any donations instead be given to Hospice of Northeast Florida.