JOHN LELAND JACO

1941 - 2017

JOHN LELAND JACO, JR. Mr. John L. Jaco, beloved husband, father and grandfather, age 76, of Wallace, NC, passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Born on March 6, 1941, John was the son of the late Leland Jaco and Marie Jaco. John was a graduate of California State University, Northridge. He served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam as a photojournalist. He retired from a fulfilling career as Executive Director of the United Way in Southern California, Madison, Wisconsin and Denver, Colorado. John was an avid golfer, reader, car enthusiast and lover of life. John was fondly known as "Jake the Snake" and "JJ Golf" by his friends and affectionately as "Grand Pooba" by his grandchildren. He was incredibly proud of his children, and they adored him. John never met a stranger, and was the best storyteller ever. He never missed an opportunity to give a compliment, especially to the love of his life, his wife Barb, whom he would greet every morning with a smile saying "hello gorgeous." John is survived by his wife, Barbara Jaco, son, Adam Jaco and daughter-in-law, Erica Jaco of Elgin, IL, daughter, Morgen Jaco of Anchorage, AK, son, Brenden Jaco of Denver, CO, son, Jason Bridges and daughter-in-law, Sarah Bridges of Mechanicsville, VA, son, Michael Bridges and daughter-in-law, Anne Marie Bridges of Chula Vista, CA, grandchildren, Abby (8), Shane (6), Olivia (5), Kaiis (5), Addely (5), and Archer (5 months) and his sister, Marie Jaco of Scottsdale, AZ. A celebration of life will be planned in John's honor later this summer. Memorial donations may be made to the local Wallace chapter of the Salvation Army, where John served on the board at salvationarmycarolinas.org/duplincounty. To sign the guest book, go to www.padgettfuneralhome.com. A service of Padgett Funeral and Cremation Services, Wallace.