Jack C. Oatts (2008)

OATTS, TUNGLAND, TUCKER, MOSCA

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 10/17/2008 at 16:22:50

Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa
October 8, 2008

JACK COSBY OATTS, Jefferson

Jack C. Oatts passed away Sunday, October 5, 2008 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by the two most important things in his life, his loving family and music. Jack was born in Dolliver, Iowa on June 30, 1922 to Cosby and Edna Oatts. He graduated from Radcliffe High School and had degrees from Coe College and Drake University. During WW II, he served his country in the U.S. Navy. During that time he attended the Navy School of Music and was a member of the Armed Forces Broadcast Band in England. He contracted tuberculosis at the end of his duty and was hospitalized for four years. During that time he earned money by shooting craps and arranging music for Lawrence Welk. More importantly, Jack met the love of his life, Marcella Tungland. They were married on September 22, 1949 and had just celebrated their 59th anniversary. Four children were born of this union, Jim, Dick, Sue, and Nancy.

Jack's passion was music education. During the thirty years of teaching, he touched many lives at Earlham and Jefferson high schools and many of his students went on to accomplish great things in music all over the world. He has been recognized as the "Father of Jazz Education" in the state of Iowa. In Earlham, he started the state's first high school jazz band in 1954. The Oatts family moved to Jefferson in 1966 and Jack taught there until his retirement in 1985. He was affectionately called the "Taskmaster" by many of his students.

Many awards were presented to Jack and he was most proud of the Iowa Jazz Educators Hall of Fame and the Des Moines Community Jazz Center Hall of Fame awards. Jack was an active member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association his entire teaching career.

Jack was an accomplished Jazz musician and for more than sixty years played the saxophone. He was always listening to and studying Jazz and many people in the Des Moines area still remember the Jack Oatts Orchestra. Jack passed that love of Jazz music on to his children, and more recently his grandchildren. He was so proud that the Oatts family jazz tradition continues on to the third generation. He was also proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments and the walls of his music room are covered with photos and awards.

Politics were also a passion. Jack and Marcella never missed an opportunity to vote. He cast his absentee ballet the day before he died and voted a straight Democratic ticket. People will remember Jack parading down the street after "his democrats" won an election playing "Happy Days are Here Again". During his retirement years there was always an intense political discussion in the Home State Bank coffee room.

Jack Oatts will be remembered as a great teacher, musician, friend, husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Marcella; sons Jim (Lori) of Urbandale, IA; Dick of Congers, N.Y.; daughters Susan Tucker of Minnetonka, Mn.; Nancy Oatts (John Mosca) of New York, N.Y.; a brother Everett Oatts of Des Moines, Ia; and his grandchildren Christian, Jefferson, Eric, Samuel, Jack, Henry, and Alaina Oatts, and Jacqueline Tucker. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William Oatts.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at the Jefferson Community High School Auditorium in Jefferson, IA on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 7pm. The family requests memorial contributions in Jack's name to the Community Jazz Center of Des Moines, 2921 Patricia Drive, Urbandale IA, 50322.