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Gerald Jack dies at 74
By Mary Madewell
Published November 6, 2009
Gerald Jack, 74, long-time supporter of Paris athletics and former assistant athletic director at the University of Alabama, died Thursday night at Paris Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness.
A 1953 graduate of Paris High School, the football and basketball star coached at his alma mater almost a decade, leaving in 1976 as head football coach and athletic director to accept a position at Sherman.
He then coached from 1982 to 1990 at Crowley before answering the call of his life-long friend Gene Stallings to join him at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Jack began as an assistant coach but soon was named assistant athletic director, a position he held until his retirement in 1997.
Stallings, who called Jack his “right hand man,” said Jack handled everything — travel, meals, the athletic dorm and everything.”
Jack’s responsibilities increased after being named assistant athletic director.
“I had tremendous respect for him,” Stallings said earlier today. “He was a good man and influenced people all over the country. He was really an outstanding human being; his word was his bond and he loved his family.”
Stallings said his family and the Jack family were “best of friends.”
“In fact they say I was sleeping in his crib when they brought him home from the hospital,” Stallings said, “He was the best friend I ever had.”
A graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Jack held several coaching positions in Alabama and Texas before returning to Paris in the late 1960s.
Jack was active in his community and is included in the Wall of Honor at the Lamar County Boys and Girls Club. He served for years on the board at Paris Golf and Country Club and was a member of Lamar Avenue Church of Christ.
He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Peggy, along with four adult children, Gary Jack, Jeanne Jack Kraft, James Bryan Jack and Raymond Eugene Jack along with a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Services are pending with Starrett Funeral Home.
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