Jack Unkel

Jack Unkel, 96, a retired dedicated executive with Goodyear Tire Company for 29 years, passed away on April 13, 2024, in his home in Dayton. Born on November 26, 1927, in Smyrna, Tennessee, Jack led a remarkable life filled with love, service, and unwavering beliefs.

He was a graduate of Dayton High School and attended the University of Texas at Austin. Having served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict Era, Jack was a proud veteran. His father was in the oil business, and he found great happiness in leasing land for oil companies as a tribute to his father. He also found joy in raising cattle and upholding his religious and political convictions.

Jack was a steadfast resident of Dayton throughout his life. Beyond his professional achievements, Jack's true legacy lies in the roles he held within his community. He was a devoted member and deacon at First Baptist Church in Dayton. Concurrently, he served as the Dayton Police Commissioner and on the Dayton City Council. His commitment to service extended to his membership with the American Legion Post in Dayton.

In his younger years, Jack loved to hunt and fish and tend an annual vegetable garden. Throughout his life he also delighted in taking care of his yard and cooking. His talent in the kitchen almost equaled his talent for talking. He was well known for his desserts, especially his chocolate cake and peach cobbler.

He enjoyed traveling around the U.S. with his family. By the time he hung up his traveling shoes, he and Margaret had visited all fifty states, as well as several European countries, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand. On these trips they often made new friends and cherished those friendships.

Jack loved history and loved to share his life stories and old family history with his girls. After his wife, his daughters, grandkids, and great-grandkids were the love of his life. Remembered fondly as a caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, and friend, Jack leaves behind a wealth of cherished memories. In his passing, he is reunited with his parents Eva Lee Gregory Unkel and Leo Paul Unkel. He is preceded in death by his sister Louise Miles and her husband Kenneth, great-grandson Jeremiah Ellis Minnaar, mother-in-law Myrtle Derrick Walker, and father-in-law Edgar Patterson Walker.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Margaret Unkel and their daughters Betty Unkel, Donna Dugat (Anthony), Barbara Reed, Debbie Coulliette (James), along with grandchildren Kasey Mobley (Jason), Kelby Reed (Kristin), Tara Harris (Andrew), Candice Mize (Dean), Karly Scott (Jerry), Maegan Minnaar (Dewaldt), Philip Dugat (Katelyn), Mason Dugat, Tagen Coulliette; great-grandchildren Raegan & Rylan Mobley; Heidi, Norah, Eloise, & Gabrielle Reed; Joshua, Noah, & Luke Harris; Naomi, Micah, & Esther Mize; Aubrey & Allie Scott; Lexi Minnaar; Simon Dugat; sisters-in-law Jan Dickson (Gene), Pat Carpenter (Kirk), Laverne Koletich; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton on April 18th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at First Baptist Church on April 19th starting at 2:00 PM, followed by burial at Magnolia Park Cemetery in Dayton. Jack's memory will forever be cherished by all those whose lives he touched.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Dugat, James Coulliette, Kelby Reed, Philip Dugat, Mason Dugat, Tagen Coulliette, Jason Mobley, Andrew Harris, Jerry Scott, Dean Mize, and Dewaldt Minnaar. The honorary pallbearers will be Lester Ray Wisegerber, Mark Miller, Buck Guthrie, Mike George, Mike Fielder, James Cain, Todd Oubre, Bill Kane, and John Glover.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to the American Stroke Foundation [6405 Metcalf Ave #214, Overland Park, KS 66202, (913) 649-1776, https://americanstroke.org/] or the charity of your choice.