Jack H. McCaslin

McCaslin, Jack H. Jack was born in Wichita to Vern and Jennie McCaslin on March 30,1927, and passed away September 1, 2016, at the age of 89. He grew up in a beloved home on Park Place with older sisters Mary, Virginia and Helen, and younger brother Bill. At North High School, he played football, made life long friends and met his future wife, Irene Gardner. In his senior year, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Islands. After returning from WWII, he attended Wichita University, married Irene and began a family. Upon the untimely death of his father in 1956, Jack became the President of McCaslin Variety Stores, founded in 1926. He managed and expanded the family business into the 1970s and was Wichita "Business Man of the Year" in 1959. In the late '60's, Jack successfully branched off into retail liquor. In retirement, he enjoyed tackling home improvement projects and beautifying the yard, playing the occasional round of golf, mastering the use of a computer, following the stock market and watching sports on TV. He was a born entrepreneur, always looking for new investment opportunities and helping others develop their business ventures. Jack loved life! He was an optimist, a "glass-half-full" kind of guy. He was kind and generous with a ready smile, cheerful greeting, or witty comeback. Jack proudly lived his whole life in Wichita. His 61-year marriage ended with Irene's death in 2010. He lost daughter April, in 1972. Jack was adored by his own children as well as all the kids in the neighborhood and his many nieces and nephews. He was respected by his peers and many employees over the years. And infamously, Jack was never without a cigar! Survived by son, Jack II of Virginia; daughter, Mindy of Oregon; daughter, Holly of Wichita; grandchildren, Paul, Alice, Crimson and Lithe; great-grandchildren, Stella, Ocean and Sky; brother, Bill McCaslin; and nephew, John Davis of Wichita; along with many off-shoots of the Gardner family. We would like to thank all of the caregivers that helped us after Irene's death, especially Cathy Witherspoon. Private memorial to be announced at a later date.