Jack Mercer

Jack Mercer slipped peacefully into his heavenly home early on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at Columbine Care Center, Fort Collins, CO where he has resided for the last 5 months. He was 82 years of age. Born in Henderson, CO, he grew up in the small town of Big Springs, NE, graduating from high school in 1944, where he lettered in 3 sports – 6 man football, basketball and track. Jack enlisted in the US Navy at age 17, and entered the service shortly after his 18th birthday. He served in the Pacific on the USS Cascade, a destroyer tender. His ship was in Tokyo harbor at the MacArthur signing of the peace treaty. Returning to Big Springs after the service, he renewed a friendship and courtship with Maralyn (Mollie) Walrod that culminated in marriage on 9/5/48. They lived in Denver while Jack went to watch making school. After graduating in 1950, he had an internship with Argenzio Jewelers in downtown Denver. During the Christmas holiday in 1952, they learned of an opportunity to own the jewelry store in Julesburg, CO, and they were able to purchase the store with the financial help of their in-laws, moving their growing family to Julesburg in January 1953. Jack was very active in the community as a business owner, a Lion, a Jaycee, Rotary, a volunteer firefighter, kids athletic coach, booster and one of the main committee members with plans to build a golf course outside of town.....and he still made time to be a good husband and father. These were tough times, but good times for the family. Jack was no stranger to hard work and did whatever needed to be done to support his wife and four kids. Besides owning Mercer Jewelry and Gift store, he and Mollie owned the Montgomery Ward catalog store, he drove a school bus, and had a mail route. In the summer of 1969 the difficult decision was made to leave Julesburg for the 'big city' of Fort Collins where they bought Rogers Jewelers in downtown Fort Collins, which they owned until 1978. A couple of other jewelry related jobs followed. In 1982 the Colorado Lottery was started and Jack was one of only 20 sales reps hired out of 800 applicants and he worked for the Lottery until he retired in 1992. The passions in Jack's life were his family, his lifelong friends and golf. Jack and his family spent countless hours boating together at Jumbo Reservoir (Sedgwick) or Lake McConaughy (NE) enjoying quality time together and much, much laughter. Jack's other two passions went 'hand in hand'....the friendships that spanned over 60 years and many hours on the golf course with those friends. He was an excellent golfer and even had a hole in one on the 5th hole at Collindale Golf Club (7 iron, 140 yds) just prior to his first stroke. That stroke was 12 years ago and ended his ability to golf so his family is most excited that his golfing will resume in heaven. Some of Jack's greatest attributes were his sense of humor and ability to make people laugh. He was a kind and gentle soul and could always be depended upon by his family in their time of need. Jack was an awesome husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend and he will be deeply missed. Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mollie Mercer (his angel on earth), sons Jack (Nan) Mercer and Mick Mercer (Karen Duggan); daughters Marcee McLain (Dave Gustafson) and Melanie (John) Dengler, all of Fort Collins, CO. Grandchildren, Whitney (Mark) Giga, Minneapolis, MN, Jade (Erin) Mercer, Denver, CO, Skyler McLain, San Francisco, CA, Kellen Dengler, NYC, NY, Hayley Dengler, Denver, CO, Madison Dengler, Fort Collins, CO, Riley Dengler, Boulder, CO, Mara Dengler, Fort Collins, CO. Great grandchild, Alena Gamvroudis, Austin, TX.. He is also survived by two sisters, Jean Armstrong, Julesburg, CO and Glennys Schilling, Grant, NE, and one brother George (Bernice) Mercer, Ogallala, NE. His extended family includes many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Theron and Agnes Mercer. After a long life, with his share of struggles, may this really, really good guy....rest in peace and 'hit'em long and straight'. The family wishes to thank the compassionate and patient caregivers at Columbine West Care Facility who have cared for him so faithfully. The family also would like to thank Pathways Hospice for their loving care the last few days of his life. Cremation has taken place, and in the warm days of the approaching summer, his ashes will be gently spread over some of his favorite places. A celebration of life service will take place at 2pm on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association or First United Methodist Church.