Luehrs, Jack S.

Jack Steven Luehrs was born on October 12, 1947, in Denver, Colorado, into a young military family, which meant continual moving: from Colorado to Minnesota, to Alaska, and to San Antonio TX where he finally thawed out at the age of eight. In his teenage years he was thrilled to move to Germany, where his dad was assigned. For almost four years Jack reveled in the German culture, food and education system. Later he enrolled in Columbia College, and again, enjoyed the exhilarating culture and enhanced educational opportunities of New York. However, Jack got caught in the middle of the collegiate protests of the Vietnam War that spread nationally. The draft was reinstated, which found Jack going to boot camp and then assigned to Korea. His mother, Jean, had insisted that Jack take typing in high school, so those talents came in handy for his deployment as secretary to one of the generals at a base in South Korea. When his assignment was up, he returned to New York to complete his education and receive BS in Political Science. He found a federal job in Washington, D.C., working for Health and Human Services. A fortunate assignment introduced him to Jim Adams, who was in charge of the new Medicare program in the Dallas Regional Office. Jim offered him a job in Dallas; Jack jumped at the chance and moved in 1972. Office colleagues reached out to welcome him, and a lifetime of friendships began. One such friend, Carolyn Grant, showed him around the city, suggesting the best places to live. Another friend, John Eury, enjoyed his sense of humor, though as his boss, had to endure Jack’s inability to get to work on time. Fortunately, he could take annual leave in increments of fifteen minutes, which made his record show that he had the most times of leave for the least amount of time. The years rolled on, Jack and Jole got married in 1986, and in 1996 Jack was able to take an early retirement. The timing was fortunate, since Jack’s dad and Jole’s parents were failing. By 2000 Jack and Jole were able to think about their project of extensive travel. Jole retired in 2002; both audited art history classes at SMU and by 2006 they sold house and all belongings. From January 2007 until July 2011, Jack and Jole traveled throughout Europe and North Africa, spending about three months in each country. During all of these travels, Jack was able to engage in his avocation, photography, and, as a result, accumulated hundreds of fabulous photographs. When the couple finally came back to Dallas, Jack was resigned to living an ordinary life, but he dreamed of returning to his favorite spots: Spain, Italy, Greece, France, etc., which he considered beautiful yet simpler than the hectic pace of Dallas, a typical American city. He did participate in the photography classes that Carolyn Brown organized and guided through its projects, and he assisted Don Essmiller in gallery showings of favorite and interesting photos of Jack and his colleagues. Jack’s health declined in the past couple of years, and gave way in January of this year. He died on Friday, the 13th, of April, 2018. Please remember him through a donation to Amon Carter Museum, Kimbell Art Museum or to one of your own favorites.  

Arrangements are under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 10116 E. Northwest Highway Dallas, Texas 75238 214-340-8008