Jack R. Denman Sr.

Jack Robert Denman Sr., 85, of Waco, went to be with his savior Jan. 7, 2012. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at Central Christian Church, 4901 Lake Shore Dr., with the Rev. Richard Roland officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors.

Mr. Denman was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Wichita, Kan., son of Lewis Mann and Harriet K. (Booth) Denman. He attended public schools in Wichita, where he graduated from Wichita High School East in spring of 1944. In February of 1985, he married Mary Chambers-Bowen in Waco.

In July of 1944, Jack joined the United States Navy Reserve, where he served two years in submarine service during WWII. In 1951, Mr. Denman graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He moved to Waco on Aug. 25, 1966, to accept a partnership in the Knudsen Insurance Agency. In July of 1967, he purchased the agency from the Knudson family and changed the name to Jack Denman Insurance Agency.

Mr. Denman was a member of the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Texas and served on its board of directors. He was a charter member of the Society of Insurance Counselors, where he was among the first class to receive the "Certified Insurance Counselor" designation and also served on its board of governors. He was also a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of America, Texas and Waco. He served as president of the Waco Association in 1976. In 1986, he sold the Jack Denman Insurance Agency to the employees. He re-entered the Insurance business in 1991 as an associate of the Insurcorp Insurance Agency Inc.

Jack was currently a member of Central Christian Church of Waco. He was a lifetime member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and held every office a layman could hold in a local Christian church at least once. Jack had been a member of the choir in every church to which he belonged. He was a Sunday school teacher and taught most Sundays since 1953. He also served as chairman of the board of Haysville Christian Church in Haysville, Kan., and Lakewood Christian Church in Waco. He served as Deacon at Central Christian Church in Wichita, Kan., Haysville Christian Church, Haysville, Kan., Lakewood Christian Church, Waco, and Central Christian Church, Waco. He served as Elder at Haysville Christian Church and Lakewood Christian Church, and served on the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Building Committee at Haysville Christian Church.

Jack was Scoutmaster, Troop 360, for ten years at Lakewood Christian Church, and was also an Expedition Leader to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico twice, Charles L. Summers Canoe Base at Ely, Minn., twice, and to the National Jamboree. He was President of the Heart of Texas Council Boy Scouts of America in 1975 and 1982, and was the recipient of the Order of the Arrow, the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver Award.

Mr. Denman was a past and founding Master of Haysville Lodge #112, a member Waco Scottish Rite Bodies, 33rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary and Past Venerable Master. He was a member of Waco York Rite Bodies and held the office of Warder in the Knight Templar Commandery. He was also a member of Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine and holds the office of Viceroy in the Demolay Conclave, a member of Karem Ancient and Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine since 1951, a member of the Karam Shrine Legion of Honor and served as Commander in 1991 and 1997. Jack was a member of the Shrine Million Dollar Club, the Hillbilly Clan 111 where he was Past Raban of the Clan, and member of the Royal Order of Jesters since 1978 and served as director in 1991.

In 1977 and 1978, Jack was the president of Downtown Waco, Inc., and a member of Waco Northwest Rotary Club where he was a board member for two years. He was also past president of Waco Homing Pigeon Club.

Jack enjoyed singing with Waco Scottish Chorus where he was a member of the Troubadours Quartet. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis; twin sister, Jill Funk; and one son, Jack Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; sons, James R. Denman and wife, Sherry, Bryan E. Denman and wife, Kelly, and Ralph L. Bowen and wife, Laurie; daughter, Tamara "Tammy" Saulters and husband, Terry; and grandchildren, April Denman, Matthew Denman, Travis Denman, Sydney Denman, Abigail Denman, Kaci Blaney and husband, Matthew, Kari Bowen, Kate Bowen, Trent Saulters, Sable Khoury and husband, Brian, Shelbi Saulters, and Kaylee Saulters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shiners Hospital for Children, 6977 Main St., Houston, TX 77030; Scottish Rite Hospital, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219; or Central Christina Church, 4901 Lake Shore Dr., Waco, TX 76710.

Condolences may be offered at connally-compton.com.

August 25, 1926 - January 7, 2012

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