Jack Lindsay SHANKS

1930 - 2017

SHANKS, Jack Lindsay passed away on Friday, February 3, 2017, at age 86. He was born in Rockwood, PA (near Pittsburgh) on November 16, 1930 to J. Roscoe and Martha (nee Spangler) Shanks. He moved to the state of Washington in 1948 where he graduated from Pasco High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954 and reached the rank of Master Sargent. But most importantly to his future, he met the love of his life, Mary Elinor Strang, during his last assignment in beautiful Bermuda where she happened to be vacationing. Once discharged four months later, he went to Montreal, Canada where he and Mary were married. They returned to Washington where Jack enrolled at Washington State College under the GI Bill. After graduation in 1957, he accepted a position with Shell Oil Company, for whom he worked 28 years. His Shell career took him to many different states from Washington to Maine, ending up in Illinois where he was District Manager of South District Chicago, including parts of Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1985, he retired at age 55 and began new adventures such as Village of Glen Ellyn Board member and Zoning Board member, golfing frequently at Glen Oak Country Club and watching his family grow all of whom also lived nearby. Eventually he moved to Eagle Ridge in Galena, IL, and wintered in Tucson, AZ, finally moving to Tucson full-time in 1997. He thrived in Tucson where he was very out-going, enjoying his buddies at the 49er Golf Club and actively working with the Optimists Club, a philanthropic organization serving the Tucson community. Jack is survived by Mary, and was the loving father of Paula Ortmann (Charles), Tracey Glawe (Jeffrey) and J. Bradley (Betsy). He also leaves six dearly loved grandchildren, Kyle (Bridget) and Kit Ortmann, Greg (Sarah) and Daver Glawe, and Tyler and Brooke Shanks. Jack loved getting together with his friends for golf, bridge or a beer. He loved visiting his three children and their families in Glen Ellyn and watching his children and grandchildren grow into beautiful and productive adults. He will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church, 2695 N. Houghton Road in Tucson on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's name to St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church or The Rincon Optimists Club, in care of Robert Ratcliff, 13640 E. Camino La Cabadilla, Tucson, AZ 85749.