Jack Mathes

Jack Mathes, 77, of Liberty, MO passed away quietly at his home surrounded by family on April 29, 2013. A reception will be held at the Wynbrick Center, 1701 Wynbrick Drive, Liberty, MO on Wednesday, May 15th from 5:00 - 8:00pm. Please join the family in celebrating Jack's life with his favorite songs and beverages. Close friend, Dub Steincross, will present the eulogy at 7:00pm. Jack was born to John and Mildred Mathes. He and his two sisters spent their youth growing up in Kansas City. He graduated from Ruskin High School where he played football, basketball and track and was awarded many honors and roles of leadership by his classmates. Immediately after graduation, he joined the US Naval Air Reserve and served for eight years. Jack attended William Jewell College and was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He married Bobbie Bandy in 1955 and they raised their two children, Marchell and Mark, in Liberty. In 1955 Jack began a lifelong and successful career in the corrugated box and packaging industry. In the mid 1960's he opened a manufacturing plant in North Kanas City for Stone Container. Eventually, he was given approval to build a new facility in the metro area and chose Liberty for its location which is still operating today as the Rock Tenn Corp. In 1979 Jack founded Vanguard Packaging which he owned and operated until 2007. It remains a family business now owned by his son Mark. During this time Jack was active in numerous business and civic associations and remained a presence at Vanguard until fully retiring in 2011. Jack began sailing at Smithville Lake and eventually crewed for his friend Blake Thomas as they sailed over the years in the Pacific Ocean, through the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean Sea and the Chesapeake Bay. When he no longer sailed, he still enjoyed boating in Puget Sound with his daughter Marchell and family. Jack and Bobbie also divided their time for years between Liberty and their vacation home in Keystone, CO. His favorite times were hosting the entire family for Christmas in the mountains and passing on his love of skiing to his Grandsons. Colorado family summers were spent fly fishing, hiking, and riding ATV's in the mountains. However, his favorite place in the world was his farm in Caldwell County, MO. He was a long time member of Liberty Hills CC and the Kansas City Club. Jack is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bobbie Mathes and his children Marchell Mathes (Cary Badger) Kirkland, WA and Mark Mathes (Karen) of Liberty. Jack adored his three Grandsons and for many years took them to weekly Saturday morning breakfast. While at breakfast, the boys learned many life lessons from manners to poker playing. These grandsons are Justin Mathes (Laurel) Liberty, Jared Mathes (Mary) Liberty, and Jordan Mathes of Liberty. He is also survived by his sisters Lucille Clemmer (Dick) Grand Junction, CO and Virginia Tignor of Boulder, CO along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family expresses gratitude to Jack's caregivers Ardreen Burnes and Myrna Bode as well as Dr. Peter Holt for their professional and loving care. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the William Jewell College Scholarship Fund, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068.