R.I.P. Jack Tollett

[Bounce]

The Rally Master for the Waltz Across Texas, finisher of some rallies, some solo rides, and master of throwing all manner of motorcycles down the road on anything other than its tires, passed away this past Friday.

Go with God, Jack.


JACK WESLEY "JACKSON" TOLLETT
1951 - 2013 | Obituary



Jack "Jackson" Wesley Tollett passed away Friday, May 24, 2013, in Fort Worth. Memorial service: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in Greenwood Funeral Home Garden Chapel. Memorials: Donations may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. Jackson was born Dec. 13, 1951, to George and Sue Tollett. He met his best friend and soul mate on Sept. 13, 1980, and married Paula Reed on Jan. 8, 1988. They were married for 32 years. Jack graduated from Texas Wesleyan University and worked on graduate studies in economics at Texas Christian University. He also taught economics as an adjunct professor at TCU. Jack taught Texas history at William James Middle School. Jack was a member of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Valley and a 33rd-degree Inspector General Honorary, Past Patron North Fort Worth Eastern Star. He was also Past Master Tarrant Lodge 942, Past High Priest and TIM of Fort Worth Chapter and Council and two other C&C. Jack also served two terms as chairman of the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission. He was also the chairman and CEO of the Texas Methane Producers. He was rally master of the popular Waltz Across Texas Motorcycle Rally, which raised funds for the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. He was also a member of University Christian Church. Jackson loved traveling to the Big Bend and Fort Davis area of Texas. Survivors: Wife, Paula; sister-in-law, Annie Reed-Harrison and husband, Cleadus; one brother; one sister; and a lot of terrific friends.
Published in Star-Telegram on May 26, 2013

[From: https://mi-cache.legacy.com/legacy/images/cobrands/dfw/photos/photo_162951_80676_0_1369503241tollettjack0001_20130525.jpgx?w=130&h=180&option=1 ]

 

[wheatonFJR]

Died too young. RIP.

 

[ahchiu]

God Speed, RIP Jack

 

[majicmaker]

RIP Jack.

 

[BIODSL]

Sad news. Rest in peace, Jack.

 

[exskibum]

RIP, Jack. Sounds like you lived a worthy life while you were with us.

 

[karstenp]

Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet Jack but I knew of him from others. Rest in peace Jack.

 

[bgross]

Died too young. RIP.

Exactly.

RIP.

 

[Mike Aldea]

My exposure to Jack was back 10-15 years ago when he rode a Concours and was part of the COG List community. He was a hard man to forget and I'm sure he will be greatly missed by many. Is there any word on the cause of death?

 

[Bounce]

He had moved to teaching history in a Middle School some years ago. We already all knew about his on-going diabetes issues.

About 2 years ago one of his "little" darlings stayed after the last class, sucker punched him (urban city schools) and he broke his hip when he fell. That recovery took nearly a year. Once he was cleared to return to teaching it was with a walker (and later a cane). He continued to fight the diabetes battle too since each time he went into the hospital they didn't keep as tight a control on his blood sugars as he did (yet wouldn't allow him to monitor himself).

One evening, while in the restroom, he collapsed and fell. Turns out the fall didn't re-break the hip. The repair had failed causing the fall. Back into the hospital.

Over the past year his times in the hospital became more frequent. It seemed like each time contact was broken, the time he stayed "away" became longer, and we all became increasingly concerned.

It had been nearly a month since any of us had heard anything when his wife told us the bad news. His memorial was a wonderful tribute to a man who made a difference in a lot of people's lives. There were probably more than a dozen students and teachers there from his school. My guess is that the punk who (IMO) triggered all this wasn't among them.

 

[TestPilot]

Thank you for the update, Bounce. It is sad to get news like this, but it is heartening to hear of a life well lived.