Jack Howard Carlisle

Carlisle, Jack Howard Jack Howard Carlisle, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away after a long illness at 12:15pm on December 21, 2013. Born in Terrell, Texas on August 20, 1928 to Howard Benton (H.B.) and Naoma Vandever Carlisle, he grew up in Kaufman and was an avid amateur radio enthusiast. In the late 1940s, he attended Texas A&M University before taking a job with the Atlantic Refining Company. In 1950, he was called to serve in the Army Signal Corps and earned the rank of First Lieutenant. He spent most of his service as part of the Allied Military Government U.S. troop presence in the Free Territory of Trieste, now Trieste, Italy. Returning to his job with Atlantic Refining in 1953, Mr. Carlisle married Jo Ann Knott, on July 20, 1955 in Morgan City, Louisiana. In 1964, the Carlisles moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where Mr. Carlisle, then a geophysicist with Atlantic Richfield (ARCO), spent 10 years working in part on projects involving the oil-rich North Slope. While living in Alaska, Mr. Carlisle provided amateur radio communications for the Iditarod Trail race. Returning to Dallas in 1974, Mr. Carlisle retired from ARCO in 1986 after 39 years of service. Known for his kindness and generosity, Mr. Carlisle was an active member of Highlands Christian Church in Dallas, where he was instrumental in the creation of a community garden. Mr. Carlisle was active in the Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS) for over 30 years and held an Amateur Extra class amateur radio license. Mr. Carlisle was also a 33rd degree mason and a Past Master of Bloomfield Lodge #112 in Kaufman, Texas. He had a passion for the family farm, where he raised a small herd of beef cattle and kept several donkeys. Mr. Carlisle is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jo Ann, daughter and son-in-law, Lea and Erik Pfeifer, and grandchildren, Amanda and Travis Pfeifer. A graveside service was held at the Kaufman Cemetery on December 27. A memorial service will be held at Highlands Christian Church, located at 9949 McCree Rd in Dallas, on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Highlands Christian Church or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.