Roger Henry Jaacks

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Roger Henry Jaacks died on Thursday, February 3, 2011, in Tallahassee, Fla. Roger was born on June 29, 1938, in Denison Iowa. He grew up in Denison, Iowa, graduating from Denison High School, where he was active in sports. He attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he played on the football team and was an All American. After earning his Undergraduate Degree in History, Roger went on to obtain his Master's Degree in Physical Education at the University of Iowa. Upon graduation, Roger accepted a job teaching and coaching at Dubuque High School. While in Dubuque, Iowa, Roger married Courtney Paige Amiss in 1963. Just after the birth of their first child in 1966, Melissa Paige, Roger and his family moved to Racine, where he taught and coached at both Case and Park High Schools. His second child, Michael John, was born in 1969. In 1973, Roger and his family moved to Tallahassee, Fla. He spent the rest of his career in sales, first working for his father-in-law, John Amiss, then for himself after he purchased the business from John, then for Niagara Lockport, and finally, for JWI, until he retired. Roger was an avid golfer, evidenced by the scratch handicap that he maintained for most of his life. He was renowned for his joke-telling and knowledge of history. He loved to read and do crossword puzzles. He is survived and greatly missed by his wife, Courtney; his children, Melissa and Michael and their respective partners, Michael Jackman and Melissa Kerns; his grandchildren, Suzanne and Spencer and their mother, Laura Anstead; his granddog, Shrimp; his brother, Richard and wife, Leanne; his sisters, Roseann Olson and husband, Robert, and Rhonda Wessel and husband, Douglas; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Jaacks, Norma Jaacks, and Lindsay Barr; his brother-in-law, Chip Amiss; his mother-in- law, Doryce Amiss; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Meinhardt and Hilda; and by his brothers, Ronald Jaacks and Robert Jaacks; and sadly, his sister, Ruth Bell died the day after Roger. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Fla. The family will be holding a wake on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 3 p.m. at the Killearn Golf and Country Club, Oakview Room. All friends are welcome and encouraged to attend and celebrate Roger's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Alzheimer's Project or to a favorite charity. BEVIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY 2710 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Fla. 850-385-2193