Jack Longfellow

1927 - 2016

Longfellow, Jack Longfellow, Jack of Orlando, FL passed away on Monday, April 18, 2016. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and all the lives he touched with his love, sense of humor, generosity, faith, intellect, music, and kindness. He was born January 16, 1927 in Tiffin, Ohio. He grew up in Frankfort, Indiana where he graduated in the Class of '45 from Frankfort High School. Immediately after graduation, Jack enlisted in the US Navy and received his training at Naval Station Great Lakes as a sole-surviving son. He was Honorably Discharged at the end of the war. Jack attended Purdue University and graduated from the University of Miami, FL in Electrical Engineering. He did graduate work at University of Florida. Jack worked for Pan American Airways in Miami where he met his wife of 65 and ½ years, Donna Marie Oaks. In 1960, Jack moved from Miami to Orlando to begin his 32-year career at Martin Marietta. He spent most of his career as Sr. Engineer on the Pershing and Pershing ll missiles in the interest of the US national defense program. He was awarded a US patent for missile systems during his tenure and also received the Pll Award. He retired in 1992. Jack taught Electronics in the evening program at Orlando Vocational Technical School. Jack became a member of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Orlando in 1960 and was a lifelong member. He held many positions in the Church, most notably as a member and officer of the Berean Sunday School Class for 55 years, as an Usher and Deacon, as a Charter member of the After School Outreach Ministry (now 4:12) teaching Math to middle-schoolers since 1992, playing his beloved trumpet in the Church Orchestra and Church Brass Ensemble for decades and he was Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher. While on the Church Property Committee, he discovered and salvaged 2 amazing stained glass windows in crates in a church storage facility that were subsequently restored and are permanently installed in the lobby of the Sanctuary today. One of Jack's passions was his trumpet. He began in the pep band at Frankfort High School. After a hiatus when he was establishing his family and career, he began playing again when his wife surprised him with a new trumpet for their anniversary. He joined the Symphonic Band at Seminole State College in 1977 and played until 2013 when he retired at age 86. He received the John Philip Sousa Award for 1994-95 from Seminole State College. He received another award for his contributions to Instrumental Music at Seminole State College in 2012. On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, Seminole State College announced the Jack Longfellow Band Scholarship to honor Jack's passion, service and commitment to music throughout his life. Jack is survived by his wife, Donna Oaks Longfellow, Orlando; his son, John Longfellow, Orlando; his daughter, Debbie Longfellow Leonard (formerly Obzud), Orlando; grandson Chris Leonard, Raleigh, NC; and granddaughter, Holly Leonard, Orlando. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Jack's Life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2pm in the Chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 106 E Church St, Orlando, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jack's memory to the Jack Longfellow Band Scholarship at Seminole State College. Donations can be made online at www.seminolestate.edu/foundation; click "Donate Now"; then under Donation Information, click Designation and select "Other" at the bottom of the list; in the box write Jack Longfellow Band Scholarship. Or checks should be made payable to Foundation for Seminole State College, designate Jack Longfellow Band Scholarship and mail to Foundation for Seminole State, 1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746.