Thomas Jacks

Jacks, Thomas N. Age 86. June 30, 2013.
Beloved husband of Gerry. Loving father of Dale Denise, Debra Hayden, Greg Connie and Marsha Dr. David Cragg. Dear brother of Esther Richard Baginski, Casimir, the late Dorothy Berent and Ann Hall. Proud grandfather of Larry, Danielle, Stephanie, Tommy, Rhonda, Daniel, David, Marie, Michael, Elizabeth, Kyle and Kevin. Great grandfather of Karter. The family will receive friends 10:30 am until the time of the Memorial Mass at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2013, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Oak Park. Committal Service with military honors Monday, August 19, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. Arrangements by Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, Royal Oak, 248-541-7000. I have tried to touch base on my father's highlights in his life and illuminate the kind of person he was. Please forgive me if I have not mentioned anyone in particular since this is extremely hard for me on many facets. Thomas Norbert Jacks was born in Detroit, Michigan. His mother was Hedwig Janowiak and his father Witold Jachimowicz who both came to the USA from Poland. They lived in Detroit, better known as Little Pole Town, where he grew up with his sisters Ann, Dorothy, Esther and his little brother Cashmier. His mother was a loving housewife. His father was a college graduate from St. Mary's seminary college, machinist by trade and a professional painter with special talents in acting. His parents brought up their children with strong family values and a deep religious background during the difficult times of the depression. Tom was educated at Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Hamtramck for grade school and then attended Saint Ladislaus, where he finished tenth grade and half of eleventh. He learned to read and write in English in the morning and Polish in the afternoon. He went to George Trade School in Detroit to be educated in the field of auto mechanics and drafting. He enlisted into the service at 17 years old with his mother's permission on May 31, 1944. He was sent to Farragut, Idaho for a 4 week naval boot camp training before being placed on a battleship called the USS COLORADO stationed in Hawaii, Japan and the South Pacific. During the war, Tom was a machinist's mate 3rd class, trained as a navy seal and had an eventual desire of being placed in a submarine. Before he finished the final testing, the war ended. He obtained an honorable discharge on June 27th, 1946. Tom went to school and became an apprentice carpenter with honors. His talents developed to a finished carpenter. Many talents consisted of some architectural design, electrical, millwork, making cabinetry and tile work. Tom met Geraldine Walczk in November 1948 at a gathering for a wedding party of their friends Ted & Eleanor Pilawski and it was love at first sight. They dated over a year and became engaged. On September 9th, 1950 they took their vows of the sacrament of matrimony. He bought land in Oak Park where he built a ranch house for Gerry and their 4 children. He joined the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 60 a year after he came home from the war and was an extremely active member by holding numerous offices. He was the commander of the chapter several times and well respected by his peers and numerous congressman and senators. He aggressively fought for his brethren and their spouses in the senate house in Lansing and successfully worked hand in hand with governor Blanchard on several veteran issues over the years. He was a respected life member. He helped fight for the financial medical recognition on medial conditions for the victims of mustard gas and post traumatic stress disorder. Thomas was a firm but gentle father raising his children Dale, Debbie, Greg and Marsha up in a catholic household stressing the belief in honesty, having goals for future endeavors and academia. He has 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild which made him very proud. Furthering his dedication to the veterans, Tom joined the Polish Legion of American Veterans post 169. He held offices as a membership chairman, legislative officer, junior and senior commander and became the state commander in 1983 thru 1985. He was instrumental in aiding the founders of the Grand Rapids Veterans facility every Palm Sunday. This consisted of orchestrating multiple donations for food, clothing, personal hygiene supplies, books, games, puzzles and supplies for the hospital to aid veterans with disabilities. Three large travel buses filled with polish dancers, musicians, the Milford barbershop quartet, congressmen, occasional senators and just fun loving polish veterans to dance, play bingo, feed, and visit with every single veteran in the hospital over 6 hours. This is still taking place every Palm Sunday. Over 20 something years Tom worked at beautifying the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan near Battle Creek for the disabled American veterans. He took pride in this final resting place for all who served their country with immeasurable bravery and pride for our freedom. On April 25th, 2009, A Band of 40 Brothers; 16 from Michigan; were asked to be a part of the Official Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to participate in the dedication of the WWII Memorial Ceremony. This memorial was dedicated to honor each of the veterans for their service and the significant sacrifices for our country. He was supportive in his church, Our Lady of Fatima. When there was a fire he offered his time to help rebuild this sanctuary. He was active in the parent club for several years as well as the 50 plus club with his last position of treasurer. He was an assistant scout master and scout master for the church, where he took pride in educating our children in the laws of the Boy Scouts of America. Although he has left us, remember that he respected and loved each and every one of us in his special way. May you be comforted in the memories that you have made with him and when you think of those times may they enrich your heart with love, strength and inner peace. Please do not be sad for he would not want you to be. Instead SMILE for he is not in pain anymore and he is on his way home to GOD and all his loved ones that have gone before him. May he watch over us and help guide us to our Father's kingdom.