John “Jack” Magee, 89, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Jack is survived by his loving wife Jane (née Furrer) of 65 years, his 4 children Mary (Gary) Mindel, John Magee, Tom (Jeanne) Magee and Katie (Brian) Thiemann; his grandchildren Caitlin (Matt) Nahorski, Kelly (Brandon) Gasparovic, Elise Thiemann, Erin Thiemann, Kurt Thiemann, Nora Thiemann, Mary Magee, Kathleen Magee, and his great grandchildren Oliver and Evelyn Nahorski, and his sister Carol Barnhart. His grandchild Joseph Mindel predeceased him. Loving uncle, cousin, and friend.
Jack grew up in University City before moving to Edwardsville at the end of 8th grade. Jack graduated from Edwardsville High School and then from St Louis University. While waiting entry to the Air Force, he worked at the Chart Plant where he met his wife Jane. During his flight training in Florida, Jack and Jane kept up correspondence, and they married in 1956 at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church. Jack and Jane then moved to San Angelo, Texas where his Air Force service continued. After his honorable discharge in 1958, Jack went to work selling insurance. Coming back from a sales call, Jack drove by Lambert Airport and saw an Ozark Airlines help wanted sign. Jack applied, was hired, and began a long and rewarding career for Ozark as an airline pilot. He first flew DC-3 propeller planes to Jefferson City, Joplin, Paducah and many other small Midwestern towns, but then as Ozark grew, Jack flew larger DC-9 jets to such destinations as New York, Florida, and California. Jack finished his career for TWA which had merged with Ozark before retiring at the then mandatory retirement age of 60.
In 1974, after serving on various labor committees for Ozark, Jack ran for and was elected Treasurer of the Airline Pilots Association. He was reelected five times, serving a total of 16 years as the Treasurer of the Association. On his retirement, the Association dedicated its boardroom in Washington, D.C. in Jack’s honor for serving the longest tenure of any elected officer. He used his position to make a difference in securing better and safer working conditions for commercial airline pilots in this country. As treasurer, and in his affiliation with the International Airline Pilots Association, Jack and Jane traveled the world to Russia, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Australia, Malta, Cypress and many other places. Jack and Jane met and mingled with leaders in aviation, including John Glenn and Jimmy Doolittle, and enjoyed such perks as dancing on the White House lawn at an organized labor event during the Carter administration.
Jack and Jane loved to travel especially to Disney World and Ireland. His interest in genealogy paid off during one trip to Ireland when he located his cousin and other distant relatives whom he had never known.
On retirement, Jack became more involved with his home parish, St. Dominic Savio Catholic Church, where he and Jane were members for more than 56 years. He founded the Sons of Dominic Savio which encouraged prayer and financial support for a number of missionary priests who were graduates of St. Dominic Savio grade school. He drove the yellow bus on the bread run for the parish’s St. Vincent De Paul Society for 20 years, serving economically challenged areas in St. Louis.
Jack enjoyed time with his family as he aged. Finally, his heart gave out, and Jack left this earth just a month after celebrating his wife’s 90th birthday. He was disappointed that he was not going to get to 90, but we told him that we would round up from 89. Jack was a man who loved his wife, his family, his faith, his friends, and his work.
Captain Jack has “slipped the surly bounds of earth” and has now “touched the face of God.”
Services: Visitation at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 on Sunday, March 6 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 6047 Bishops Place, St. Louis, MO 63109 on Monday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. with interment following at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, masses or donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society–Seven Holy Founders Conference are preferred.
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man. I’ll always remember the great times we had as kids and when Jack and Jane went out with my mom and dad. Rest In Peace Jack. You deserve it.
My deepest sympathy to the Magee Family. May Captain Jack rest in peace.
Thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Jack was a special friend. I will miss him terribly. Rest in Peace my friend!!!
So sorry for your lost – Jack was indeed a great man with a great family.
My deepest sympathies at the loss of this wonderful man. That knGod for all you learned from him and were able to enjoy with him throughout his 89 years. Be assured of my prayers for each of you!
Captain Jack was such a kind and smart and funny and loving man. Our thoughts go out to all the Magees.
Lot of great memories, hanging out at Captain Jack and Jane’s house. A true family home and always felt welcome. Thanks and prayers for all the Magees.
Dearest Jane
I am so very sorry to hear of Jack’s passing, but thankful he is no longer suffering. After reading about his life I understand why he was such an a amazing man! He accomplished so much in his life and as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he will continue to be the perfect model for his family who love him so much. He will continue to look down and protect all of you as he did here on earth.
Deepest Sympathy,
Rita Nahorski
Our deepest condolences for the Magee family! Jack was an awesome guy, a man of honor and respect! Jack you will be missed and remembered in our hearts, it was our pleasure and honor to have known you! Jane, we are praying for you and your family!
John, I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a dad at any age is tough. Your’s seems like a heck of a guy. You and your whole family are in my prayers.
Thoughts and prayers for you and all the Magee family.
Jane and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. It was such and honor pleasure to have met Jack. He was always so friendly and there was not doubt how much he loved you and his family. You will always have a guardian angel. May he Rest in the arms of angels.
My parents were fortunate to meet Jack and Jane a few years ago. Jack was a wonderful, kind man who made a huge difference in my parents’ lives. It was always pleasant to spend time with him. He will be missed. We know he is in a better place and is being rewarded for all of his good works.
Mzee Magee and Jane kept me and okali as their sons in their home when invisible children took us to USA for teachers exchange program in 2010.They were both so kind to us. May his soul rest in peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family. I had the privilege of working with Jack for a number of years at ALPA and truly appreciated his insights, wisdom and an overarching sense of fairness. We have lost a wonderful gentleman, but we do get to keep the fond memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack and all the Magees. It was a pleasure to get to know Jack & Jane in our years at St Dominic’s. We have great memories and I want to thank him for showing us the rewards of serving!
I enjoyed are talks both financial and all the stories you shared plus your wisdom!
Rest in Peace Jack.
Jane & family, So sad to hear of Jack’s passing. Tammy and I send our condolences to you and your family. I had the privilege of knowing Jack at the Air Line Pilots Association and loved his humor and wit and his common sense approach to pilots problems in those years. Loved by his family and friends he will be missed. Thanks for your service to all us pilots. Here’s to you Capt. Jack.
When a man’s life earns highest regard and respect, and when he inspires other men to reach higher and to do greater good, you’ve got yourself a true apostle, and the Good Lord truly loves His good and faithful servant and most assuredly the rewards will be abundant.
I hope the joy in your hearts soothes the pains of missing him; the treasure of his example will always be yours. I admire your good fortune to have shared his life!