Jackie "Jack” Earl Polete, age 80 of Nixa, Missouri, walked up to the gates of Heaven, Sunday morning, March 20, 2022. Jack was a wonderful husband, brother, uncle, dad, and pop to his family; he will be greatly missed. Jack was born February 16, 1942, to Herman Earl and Beulah O’ Dell (Schneider) Polete of Fredericktown, Missouri. Jack and his dad shared the same birth date of February 16.
Jack attended Mansfield High School, class of 1959. He was a manager of the basketball team and enjoyed playing baseball. There he met his lifelong friend, Wright Bogart. Together they would make memories; fishing, attending Lady Bears basketball games, and numerous other sporting events.
Jack met the love of his life, Lilly "Maxine” Camp, at a church convention in 1963. They attended a church camp together later that year. Jack and Maxine were united in marriage on January 9, 1965. Jack proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army, serving in Korea. He enjoyed being a member of the local Ozark VFW Post #7628 and the Nixa American Legion, both where he spent time with his fellow veterans and friends. Jack also served with Ozarks Honor Flight, assisting hundreds of veterans to see their official memorials in Washington DC, making trips of a lifetime.
After retirement from a career in the trucking industry, Jack enjoyed working part time at a local pharmacy, up until the time he of his passing. He loved fishing, was an avid Cardinals baseball fan, enjoyed watching football and college basketball. But most of all he loved the Lord, his family and his country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Judy K (Polete) Fletcher and his best friend, Wright. Jack is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maxine; daughters Kim, of Nixa; Jackie Polete of Houston TX; Kristy (Rodney) Gary of Nixa, his buddy and grandson, Carter of Nixa; granddaughters Randi (Troy) Van Eck of Lincoln, NE, Ricki (Manuel) Gary of Lincoln, NE; great-grandchildren Faith, Adriana, Noah, Isaac, Elijah, and Amelia; all of Lincoln, NE. He is also survived by his sisters Carol "Joan” (Carl) Fletcher of Springfield, Jeanine S. (Carl) Jones of Nixa, Janet E. Polete of Springfield and his brother-in-law Donald E. (Judy) Fletcher, plus a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services with full military honors will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, March 25, 2022, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. Reverend Mark Wright will be officiating with services conducted by Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, Missouri. The Missouri Veterans Cemetery is located at 5201 S. Southwood Road, Springfield, Missouri.
A Celebration of Life and Luncheon will be held for family and friends at James River Church, immediately following at 11:00 A.M. located at 6100 N. 19th Street, Ozark, Missouri. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com
In lieu of flowers: monetary contributions can be made to Maxine Polete 423 S. Devonshire St.
Nixa, MO 65714