Jack Balagia

JACK BALAGIA was born in Austin, Texas on April 28, 1914 to George Balagia and Louise Mike Balagia. He grew up in Austin where he attended Austin public schools and St. Edwards. At a young age, he began working in his family's produce business, the Balagia Produce Company, on East Fifth Street in Austin, working with his uncles Charles Balagia and Tofie Balagia, who founded the Company. During his time there, Balagia Produce was one of the largest suppliers of meat and produce in the State of Texas and was the best-known market of its kind in Austin. In 1941, Jack applied for service in the United States Army Air Force and was accepted into cadet training school. During his service in World War II as a bombardier and navigator, he flew B-24's in Ecuador and conducted submarine patrol for a year. He then was stationed in the India theatre flying B-29's and transporting fuel from India to Chinese airfields in preparation for bombing missions to Japan, Manchuria, Burma and China. He flew three trips "over the Hump" through the Himalayas. He served two tours of duty in the Air force, flew 38 missions and was awarded many medals including the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Asia Pacific Medal with Two Clusters and the India Burma Medal with Two Clusters. He received a Presidential Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters and was honorably discharged from the Air force in 1946 as a Captain. He returned to Austin and continued to work in the produce business. In 1950, on a trip to New York, an Air Force colleague introduced him to Sophia Elizabeth Koury from Quincy, Massachusetts. A year later, they were married and moved to Austin where they raised their four children. In 1955, Jack began work in the insurance business and eventually founded the Balagia Insurance Agency. A successful insurance executive, he was a member of the Austin Life Underwriters' Association, the Austin Association of Insurance Agents and the Million Dollar Roundtable. During his more than 90 years in Austin, Jack has been active in many civic, charitable, religious and educational organizations. He has been a member of the Austin Sheriff's Posse, the Austin Symphony Society board, the Knights of the Symphony, the Knights of Columbus (a fourth degree knight), and the KLRU fundraising auction. He has served as President of the University Optimist Club, President of the Darrell Royal Workshop (supporting muscular dystrophy research), President of the Texas Children's Mental Health Association, and President and Chairman of the Capital Area United Cerebral Palsy Association. He has served on the board and held other officer positions with the Downtown Optimist Club (board member), the Broadway League of Austin Club (vice-president), the Texas Statue of Liberty Commission (vice-chairman), the Austin Club (vice-president), the Austin Country Club (vice-president), the Austin Assembly and the Austin Urban Renewal Agency (vice-chairman). He has been a member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Headliners Club. He was a devoted and active member of (and served in numerous capacities at) St. Austin's Catholic Church for many years. He also served on the Board of St. Michael's Academy in Austin. In 1985, Pope John Paul II inducted him into the Knights of Malta, one of the highest lay honors of the Catholic Church. He has also been a lifetime supporter of the University of Texas, where all four of his children were educated, and in 2003, the University established the S. Jack and Sophia K. Balagia endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law in his and his wife's honor. He attended most UT home football games, and has been a fixture at UT baseball games in his regular seats behind home plate at Disch-Falk Field, and at Clark Field before then. He served UT in many capacities, as a member of the UT Chancellors' Council and the UT Longhorn Foundation and the UT Longhorn Foundation Advisory Board. He was a charter member of the UT Club of Austin. He has been an active participant in many state and local political campaigns for a number of candidates, most of whom were personal friends. In 1969, Governor John Connally appointed him to the Texas Judicial Qualifications Commission and in 1971, Governor Preston Smith appointed him to the Texas Film Commission. He had a cameo role in Peter Fonda's film, Outlaw Blues, which was filmed in Austin. Jack is survived by his wife, Sophia Koury Balagia and their four children, Jack Balagia, Jr. and his wife, Mary, James K. Balagia and his wife, Linda, G. Terry Balagia and his wife, Heather and Susan Marie Balagia. He is also survived by 12 Balagia grandchildren: Elaine, Terrence, Ben, Callie, Sarah, Michael, Rebecca, Amanda, Adam, James, Bo and Lily. He also leaves behind three brothers, George Kaleel, Lewis Kaleel, Mike Kaleel and his sister, Gloria Kaleel Dick. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Josephine Beard and Vicki Peacock, his brother, William Kaleel and his cousin, Eileen Jacob Cook. There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 24, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd., Austin. Private interment will take place on Friday, January 25, 2008 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Cathedral, 203 East 10th Street, Austin, with Reverend George Joseph, celebrant. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the S. Jack and Sophia K. Balagia endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law at the UT School of Law, 727 E. Dean Keeton Ave., Austin, Texas 78705, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752. (512)454-5611 phone (512)451-3041 fax