JOHN FRANCIS "JACK" TIERNEY

JOHN "JACK" FRANCIS TIERNEY
March 8, 1936-January 3, 2010
MISSION - John "Jack" Francis Tierney died at home in Mission, TX on January 3, 2010 after a long struggle with cancer. Jack was born March 8, 1936 in Cambridge, MA, first child of Martin L. and Edna Powers Tierney. His dad was a schoolteacher. Jack attended public schools in Cambridge, MA through high school. While a sixteen year old high school senior, he received an alternate appointment to West Point and an Academic Scholarship to Harvard University. He attended his freshman year at Harvard University, also in Cambridge, MA. The next year he received an appointment to West Point joining the West Point class of 1958 on July 6, 1954 where he graduated in June, 1958. On June 7 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF. During his Air Force Career he served in OSI, and at Hickam AFB, Hawaii as Aide to the Commander PACF. He spent majority of his time with the Minute Man ICBM Program, with the First Minute Man Wing at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT and subsequently with Headquarters 15th Air Force in Riverside, CA. A majority of his time was spent with ICBM Command and Control.
Upon leaving the AF, in 1969 Jack went to work in the banking industry for J.P. Morgan and Company in New York City. Thus began a thirty-five plus year in banking, almost all of which was in Executive Bank Management. He served over fourteen years as President and CEO of four different banks, including banks in Great Falls, Montana; Harlingen; Mercedes, and McAllen, Texas.
In 1972, Jack was elected to the Montana State House of Representatives. His political involvement, beginning in 1971, led to a lifelong avocation in Republican politics including a run for the United States Senate in 1976. He served in several elected party positions including being a delegate to State Republican Party conventions in Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico and Texas.
Upon retiring from banking, Jack spent a few years as a substitute math teacher in the McAllen School District. He then accepted a position as Executive Director of the local Habitat for Humanity Affiliate. Jack is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Marie; his son and daughter in-law: Michael and Andrea Tierney; and two grandchildren, Elyse and Ian Tierney, all of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by three sisters: Margaret, (Mrs. Paul Wheeler) of Winchester, MA; Ann Tierney of Belmont, MA; and Sally, (Mrs. Jack McNichols) of Cornelius, NC.
He has received national recognition by being named in: Who's who in Upper Midwest Business, 1974-1977 ,Who's who in Government 1973-1975, and Who's who in Politics 1973-1977.
Jack has always said that his life was shaped and motivated by having been a member of The Long Gray Line at the United States Military Academy. His personal beliefs to which he held steadfastly all of his life were best stated by the West Point Motto,
"Duty, Honor, Country". Jack did his duty, lived honorably, and served his country that he loved.
Cremation arrangements will be handled by Kreidler Funeral Home. A Gathering to commemorate his life will be held at Kreidler Funeral Home from 6-8PM on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Jack will be interred at a later date with full Military Honors at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Palm Valley Animal Center, 2501 W. Trenton Rd, Edinburg, TX 78539, or Habitat for Humanity, McAllen, TX. kreidlerfuneralhome.com
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