Obituary: Jack Lewis Means

Jack Lewis Means passed away on November 20, 2011 due to complications that arose after cancer surgery. Jack was born on November 5, 1928 in Dowagiac, Michigan to Lyle and Velma Means. His father died when Jack was only three years old and weathered the Great Depression with a single mother and two brothers. His strength, determination and perseverance were forged in poverty, his compassion maximized by seeing thousands suffering as he was and his gentleness perfected striving to be the loving father and grandfather that he never had. He met the love of his life, his wife Hope, in Los Angeles, California and they were married on May 3, 1947. They remained loving partners until this Sunday morning. They were married for 64 years.

Jack was a Navy Veteran, was aboard ship during the Bikini Island Atomic Test, attended the University of Southern California and worked as an executive in retail for over 45 years. He finally retired completely in June of this year. Jack enjoyed any occasion with family and friends, watching Gunsmoke reruns and any John Wayne movie, was a die hard Dodger Fan, loved baseball in general, good food and was a great dancer.

Jack is survived by his wife Hope, sons Glen and Donald Means, daughters Karen Lyttle and Jacqueline Gentine, ten grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. His legacy of family first and never giving up, runs deep with his descendants and will allow them to follow "Papa's" example of overcoming adversity by hard work in order to earn success and achievement for many generations to come.

A rosary will be recited Monday, November 28, 2011 at 5:00 PM at Walton's Chapel of the Valley in Carson City. A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Carson City. Burial will follow in Walton's Carson Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's honor to your local community food bank.