Jack Harris Gresham

Jack Harris Gresham, 102, of Fordyce, passed from this earthly life on June 19, 2017. Jack lived a remarkable life not only in length of years, but also in honorable service to his country, in an accomplished career in public education, and in his constant love and devotion to his family and friends throughout his life. The son of Charles Henry and Nell Harris Gresham, he was born January 29, 1915 in Thornton, Arkansas. He was a proud brother of the late Ruth Adell Creed and the late Dorothy Lee McDonald. After his father's death when Jack was eight years of age, his mother nurtured his love of sports, once taking him to Little Rock to get Babe Ruth's autograph. A highlight of his high school basketball career was playing in the state basketball tournament on the auditorium stage of the new Little Rock Central High School. He worked his way through his first two years of college at Arkansas A&M in Monticello, where he played on the AIC Championship Baseball team. He completed his final two years of college at Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, earning a degree in English. His first job after graduation was a teaching and coaching position in the Arkansas community of Whitton, where he remained for five years and made life-long friendships. During that time he earned a master's degree in School Administration from George Peabody in Nashville, Tennessee. After United States entered World War II, Jack enlisted as an officer in the Navy and served aboard an LST in the Pacific. After the war he returned to Thornton, where he was recruited to become the Principal of Fordyce High School. There he began his thirty-one year tenure with the Fordyce School District, including 28 years as Superintendent of Schools. It was there where he soon met the love of his life, Doris Morgan. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage before her passing in 2008. They raised four children who survive him: Jack H. "Jay" Gresham Jr. of Fordyce, Lucy Hearnsberger of Starkville, Miss., Holly Garavel of West Hartford, Conn., and Jim Bob (Lori) Gresham of Little Rock. He was known and loved as "Pappy to his eight grandchildren: Heidi Thomas, Kristin Hearnsberger, Jimbo Hearnsberger, Paula Cagna, Michael Garavel, Jack Gresham, Martha Gresham, and Charlie Gresham and four great-grandchildren: Emma, Mary Neel, Morgan, and Anne Elise. Besides his family, his life's calling was in public education where he influenced generations of students and families in Whitton and in Fordyce. His leadership skills also extended to the state level where he served 12 years on the Executive Committee of Arkansas Activities Association, including one term as President. He was a man of deep faith in God and always active in his local church. He taught the men's Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church for over 30 years and enjoyed most of his retirement years active in the First United Methodist Church. Throughout their retirement, he and Doris traveled extensively around the United States and also enjoyed trips to many other countries. His love of sports included many rounds of golf with family and friends until the age of 92. Jack Gresham was a principled man of humility and kindness. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday June 23 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Fordyce. Evening visitation with the family will be held Thursday, June 22 from 6-8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.