Obituary for Jack Leon Courtney
Jack Leon Courtney, 85, of Springfield, MO, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Cox South Medical Center, Springfield, MO. His beloved family was with him throughout his final hours.
Jack Leon was born on March 20, 1936, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Herman Roscoe and Clara Evangeline (Forbis) Courtney. He was youngest of five brothers and one sister. All of his school years were in Oklahoma, graduation from Miami High School in 1954. Jack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel and Industrial Relations from Southwest Missouri State University in 1982. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, stationed at Fort Totten, New York, as aide/driver to Capt. Norman F. Phero, who presented a Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Service and Professional Competence upon Jack’s discharge on 30 September 1957. In his civilian life, Jack upheld the honor of his military service unstintingly. He worked for Springfield News-Leader for 39 years, as ad compositor and compositor supervisor, retiring in 1998.
In 1954, he married his childhood friend and dearest love, Joyce N. Courtney (Mitchell), of Commerce, Oklahoma. To this marriage came two daughters and one son. In retirement, he traveled across country and countries, read mystery books, joined family gatherings, regaled staunch and indulgent friends, restored houses, tended field and garden and his favorite pastime attended the Concert Seasons of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra through four different conductors.
Jack took guidance from St. Paul’s Philippians 4:8 which goes, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” He accepted St. Peter’s advice, “…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Terri Lalise Courtney-Miller (Rodney), of Springfield; Jacqueline Kay Farr (Rob) of Warsaw, MO; and his son, Mitchell Leon Courtney, of Springfield; granddaughters, Kirsten Stephenson; Cicely Kimball (Mike); Lindsey Courtney (Dan Mullen); great-grandsons (Tristan, Gareth, Grayson); Great granddaughters, Jacqueline (Quinn), Celise, Genevieve; and numerous nieces and nephews; and family with whom he shared life-long close attachments, brother-in-law Ola Ray Mitchell and wife Mary Helen Mitchell, god-daughter, Jacqueline Renee Mitchell, of Gresham, OR; and a memorable person from his early life, sister-in-law, Della Jo Courtney, of Sapulpa, OK.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by brothers, George Courtney, of Houston, Texas; Rev. Mike Courtney, of Bethany, Oklahoma; Rev. Phillip Courtney, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Edward Forcee, of Columbia, Missouri; and one sister, Evelyn Courtney, of Terre Haute, Indiana.
At age 82, Jack was diagnosed with leukemia (CML). Through the expertise and treatment from Dr. Raymond Lobins, Oncologist, of The Hulston Cancer Center, Springfield, MO, his life went ahead providing immense pleasure of more time with his family, for which they express here their profound thanks.
A graveside funeral service with full military honors will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery pavilion at 1:00pm on Monday, March 21, 2022, with Rev. Harold Williams, officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com
Jack Leon was born on March 20, 1936, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Herman Roscoe and Clara Evangeline (Forbis) Courtney. He was youngest of five brothers and one sister. All of his school years were in Oklahoma, graduation from Miami High School in 1954. Jack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel and Industrial Relations from Southwest Missouri State University in 1982. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, stationed at Fort Totten, New York, as aide/driver to Capt. Norman F. Phero, who presented a Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Service and Professional Competence upon Jack’s discharge on 30 September 1957. In his civilian life, Jack upheld the honor of his military service unstintingly. He worked for Springfield News-Leader for 39 years, as ad compositor and compositor supervisor, retiring in 1998.
In 1954, he married his childhood friend and dearest love, Joyce N. Courtney (Mitchell), of Commerce, Oklahoma. To this marriage came two daughters and one son. In retirement, he traveled across country and countries, read mystery books, joined family gatherings, regaled staunch and indulgent friends, restored houses, tended field and garden and his favorite pastime attended the Concert Seasons of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra through four different conductors.
Jack took guidance from St. Paul’s Philippians 4:8 which goes, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” He accepted St. Peter’s advice, “…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Terri Lalise Courtney-Miller (Rodney), of Springfield; Jacqueline Kay Farr (Rob) of Warsaw, MO; and his son, Mitchell Leon Courtney, of Springfield; granddaughters, Kirsten Stephenson; Cicely Kimball (Mike); Lindsey Courtney (Dan Mullen); great-grandsons (Tristan, Gareth, Grayson); Great granddaughters, Jacqueline (Quinn), Celise, Genevieve; and numerous nieces and nephews; and family with whom he shared life-long close attachments, brother-in-law Ola Ray Mitchell and wife Mary Helen Mitchell, god-daughter, Jacqueline Renee Mitchell, of Gresham, OR; and a memorable person from his early life, sister-in-law, Della Jo Courtney, of Sapulpa, OK.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by brothers, George Courtney, of Houston, Texas; Rev. Mike Courtney, of Bethany, Oklahoma; Rev. Phillip Courtney, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Edward Forcee, of Columbia, Missouri; and one sister, Evelyn Courtney, of Terre Haute, Indiana.
At age 82, Jack was diagnosed with leukemia (CML). Through the expertise and treatment from Dr. Raymond Lobins, Oncologist, of The Hulston Cancer Center, Springfield, MO, his life went ahead providing immense pleasure of more time with his family, for which they express here their profound thanks.
A graveside funeral service with full military honors will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery pavilion at 1:00pm on Monday, March 21, 2022, with Rev. Harold Williams, officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com