Jack Fluker

Loving written by the family

Jack Arthur Fluker, 93, passed peacefully from this life and went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family in Joplin, Missouri on September 5, 2025. Jack was born on December 6, 1931, in Sheridan, New York to Lial and Edna Fluker, the middle of three children.

Jack grew up in Chautauqua County, in the heart of grape country in Western New York, where from a young age he fell in love with plants and assisting his parents with their thirteen glass greenhouses. He was wellversed in taking cuttings, transplanting, growing, and selling a variety of flowers and trees, especially geraniums, oftentimes taking care of 10,000+ plants at a time.

Jack graduated high school with the class of 1950. Soon afterwards, he entered the Army where he was based in Fort Dix, New Jersey, then became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Jack served for three years.

In 1958, he moved to Topeka, Kansas to work for his uncle's company. From there, Jack moved to Joplin, Missouri where he met Evelyn.

On September 16, 1959, Jack married Evelyn Hardisty. They were married for 42 years and had four children together.

A few years after marriage, Jack became a long-haul truck driver-a career that took him to every state but Hawaii, and driving became his passion. He and Evelyn moved back and forth between back New York, New Jersey and Missouri for the next few years until settling outside of Joplin and building a home together. He continued to drive truck for multiple companies including Ford Motor Co., Wade's Poultry, Monkem Co., Frontier, and Smithway. During his nearly fifty years of driving truck, Jack never had a chargeable accident and received awards for driving both one million and two million miles-two achievements Jack was very proud of.

In addition to driving and traveling, he was an avid coin enthusiast and amassed quite the collection over the years. Jack also loved anything outside, tinkering with tools and gadgets, and all things trains and cars.

He is survived by the love of his life, Evelyn Mae Fluker; his daughters, Jacqueline Mullen and Charlene Fluker (Steve Wright), both of Joplin, Missouri, and his son Arthur Fluker (Toni Manning) of Joplin, Missouri, and his daughter Jackie Dawson (Ronnie) of Carthage, Missouri. Two granddaughters, Tiffany Callicoat (Jonathon) of Joplin, Missouri, and Tressa Ellis (Marty) of Carl Junction, Missouri; two great-grandchildren and two "adopted" great-grandchildren. As well as his sister, Burcuids Rignall of Sheridan, New York.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Edna Mae Fick; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and in laws; and his son, Darrell Wayne Fluker.

Jack was a man with so much love to give. He will always be known as a loving father, the sweetest grandpa, the most caring brother a sister could ever ask for, dedicated, kind-hearted, and resilient. He was someone who lit up a room with his infectious smile, never met a stranger, always had a story to tell, and so incredibly witty.

Jack will be immensely missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.