John Hill

John James (Jack) Hill, 89, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, after a brief illness. A Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, Aug. 14, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial with Military Honors was at Mt. Calvary, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, immediately following the Funeral Mass. 

Jack was born on Oct.28, 1934, in Omaha, Neb. to Gladys (Welsh) and Earl Joseph Hill.  He grew up in Denison where he graduated from Denison High School in 1952, and went on to attend the University of Iowa, graduating with a mechanical engineering degree in 1957.  He then served as a First Lieutenant in the Army at Fort Leonard Wood. After serving in the Army, he worked at Rockwell Collins as a program manager until retirement.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Becky; and two children, Tim (Katie) and Katie (Ken) Kintzle; and two grandchildren, Frank (Hazel) Hill and Jane Hill.  He is also survived by his sister, Janis (Mike) Bougdanos; brother-in-law Randy (Debbie) Wilke; sisters-in-law, Terry (Tim) Wands and Mel Sullivan; nephews and nieces, Steve (Debbie) Bougdanos, Beth (Jeff Smith) Meyer, Dave (Erika) Bougdanos, Terry (Robin) Sullivan, Susie (Gary) Sullivan, Tom (Janelle) Sullivan, Dan (Julia) Sullivan, Mark (Carrie) Porterfield, Nicole and Scott Wilke, Sondra (PJ) La Croix, Bryan Wands, Bob (Stephanie) Sullivan, Kevin (Michele) Sullivan, and Missy (Joe) Matthews; and numerous great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved first wife, Patricia Sullivan; in-laws, Frank and Ann Sullivan and Ralph and Luva Jean Wilke, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard Sullivan, Bob and Joyce Sullivan, Jerry and Fran Porterfield; niece, Karyn Sullivan; and nephew, Shawn Sullivan.

Jack considered himself blessed with a life well-lived. As evidence of that life, he felt lucky to have found love twice in his life. He married Patricia Sullivan in 1963, and started a wonderful life, including two children. After Patricia lost her battle with cancer in June of 1971, Jack had to fill the role of both mother and father, relying on the help of his sister and mother for support. Because of Jack’s strength and resilience, his love for his children allowed them to want for nothing. His luck continued when he met his second wife, Becky, through work at Rockwell Collins, and they married in 1977, continuing the wonderful life full of adventures for 47 years.

One of Jack’s greatest passions was the Iowa Hawkeyes, holding season tickets for 50-plus years, never once missing a home football game. As easy-going as Jack was, if you dared called during a game, you would have been met with a VERY short conversation. 

His happy place was any place near water. Summers at Clear Lake were spent boating and teaching numerous generations how to water ski; Jack was always patient no matter how many times it took to successfully get his student up on the skis. Another happy place by the water was Jack and Becky’s annual Maui trip to escape Iowa winters. Jack’s love of dogs was another passion, including his granddogs.

Jack definitely strived to make the most of life, and had many things to keep him active. He loved Oshkosh airshows (an annual adventure), playing tennis, snow-skiing (starting in the 50’s), reading voraciously (anything he could get his hands on), and spending time with his family and friends.

His family and friends remember him as a gentleman and a gentle man. Friendship was something he cherished, and if you were considered a friend of Jack’s, you were a friend for life.

   Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Catholic Church.

Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, was in charge of the arrangements.

   Please share your support and memories with Jack’s family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.