Jack R, Maurer, age 93, of Peachtree City, Ga., passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018, quietly in his sleep.
Jack was born on St. Patrick’s Day 1924, in Gary, Ind. Drafted into the US Army February 1943, then reassigned to the Army Air Corps. He attended armament school and was then re-assigned to 401st Bomb Group. Jack shipped out on The Queen Mary to England, in October 1943, with approximately 15,000 troops. Jack was stationed at Deenthorpe Air Base in England, part of the 8th Air Force in aircraft armaments on B17 aircraft. He was transferred to the infantry in March 1945 in Tidworth, England. From there, he was shipped out to France, and while on board the announcement was made that WWII had ended. Jack was them discharged in November 1945.
After a year of civilian life, he re-enlisted in November 1946. This began his 20 year career with the US Air Force, where he retired as a Major. His final assignment was with the USAF Reservist program in Miami, Fla.
While in the Air Force, he met his wife, Alice (AKA Dickie), in Westover, Md. She was a WAF (Women’s Air Force). They were married for 41 years, until Dickie’s death in 1991. He went to OCS (Officers Candidate School) prior to the birth of his two daughters. During this time, she was stationed at various bases stateside, while Jack was doing a two year tour in Korea. Jack ended his military career in Miami, where he started his basic training.
In July 1962, Jack retired from the Air Force and started his second career with University of Miami, as assistant director for the newly built Student Union. There he was in charge of the University’s recreational facilities. He retired from The University of Miami after 20 years, to care for his wife Dickie, who suffered from Alzheimers.
He was an avid bowler, bowling a couple of perfect 300 games, featured as an amateur bowler, competing against professionals, and on a local Texas TV station in the 1950’s. His passions were bowling, golf, taking the family to the movies, and vacations at the beach. Jack was a University of Miami Hurricane supporter and a huge Chicago Cubs fan. He was a longtime member of two of the largest Veterans organizations, The American Legion and The VFW, as well as a member of the Elks.
Jack was predeceased by wife “Dickie,” sister, Sharon Termine; and brothers, Loren and Raymond Maurer. Survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ & husband Arnie Geiger and Kathryn ‘Kate’ Maurer & husband Rich Bailitz; grandchildren, Dwayne Courtney (wife Barbara) and Jordanna Taylor Gross; great-grandchildren, Andrew (wife Amanda), Anthony, Adam, and Sarah Courtney, and Holden Hawk. He was very proud of his extended family, George & MaryAnn Geiger, (Geraldine & Joseph), Joe & Tammy Geiger, (Emma, Sam, & Andy), Lee & Tracy Geiger, (Stephanie & Michael), Max & Kathy Hammond, (Matt & Mark) and his ì bestestî friend JB Page.
A Memorial Service will be held on February 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home, Peachtree City. A reception will follow. Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to The American Legion Post 50, P.O. Box 3692, Peachtree City, Ga. 30269 or VFW Post 9949, P.O. Box 2267, Peachtree City, Ga. 30269, supporting of our American Veterans.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
