John Willard "Jack" Mirick

John "Jack" Willard Mirick (November 15, 1932 – March 9, 2026) lived a life marked by faith, service, and devotion to both his family and the Lord.

Jack was born on November 15, 1932, in South Chatham, New Hampshire, to John H. Mirick and Elizabeth S. Mirick. He spent most of his young life in Simsbury, Connecticut. From there, his life through military service would take him across the country and around the world before settling in South Carolina.

While attending Pilot Training in Greenville, Mississippi, Jack attended Church Training where he met Ann Curtis, who would become his lifelong partner. They were married 66 years during which they built a family, shared decades of faithful service to the Lord, and loved each other well.

Jack served his country with distinction in the United States Air Force, entering the service in 1954 and later being commissioned as an officer. During his Air Force career, he served as both a navigator and pilot, and was assigned to the 41st Military Airlift Squadron operating from Charleston Air Force Base.

During his one-year tour in Vietnam, Jack participated in demanding aerial missions that included coordinating rescue missions and refueling operations for helicopters. During one mission, two helicopters had been damaged and were attempting to return to their home ship. Jack and his crew helped support and escort the aircraft safely back to the ship. For his skill and courage in this mission, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the United States military's highest honors for heroism or exceptional achievement in flight. In 1974, after 20 years of service, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force.

After retiring, he began his second career as a math teacher where he found great joy in educating middle school students. You would often find him tutoring before school, during his lunch, and after school. For 17 years his love for students and his desire for them to succeed was evident.

As a devoted follower of Jesus, Jack faithfully served the Lord at Summerville Baptist Church. Over the many years he was a part of the church family, he ministered to others through numerous roles, including RA leader, member of the Audio team, Church Training Director, greeter and deacon. In recognition of his decades of faithful service as a deacon, he was honored by the church as a "Deacon for Life."

Perhaps Jack's most visible ministry was faithfully greeting at the church doors for over 40 years, offering a warm welcome week after week to all who entered. In later years, he shared this role with his wife, Ann. Throughout his life, he was truly the hands and feet of Jesus to many.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Ann C. Mirick of Summerville; his children Nina Moede (Chuck), Elizabeth Mirick, Anita Gabriel (Darien), and Judy Mirick; his grandchildren Karen Burnette (John), Melissa Moede, Kelsi Templeton (Ethan), Samantha Dickert (Codie), Jennifer Chears (Jonathon), and Emma McConnell (Matthew); and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two of his siblings Barbara Mapes of Florida and Paul Mirick of Virginia.

Jack entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on March 9, 2026. His life reflected quiet faithfulness - serving his country with honor, impacting his students selflessly, serving his church with humility, loving his family with devotion, and loving the Lord whole-heartedly.

His funeral will be held at Summerville Baptist Church on Friday, March 13 at noon preceded by visitation hours from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The burial with military honors will follow the service at Dorchester Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Summerville Baptist Disaster Relief or Water Missions International.