John Leo “Jack” McDermott (1936-1960)

BRADLEY, CLARK, MAHNCKE, JOHNSON, MCDERMOTT, SPENGELMEYER, WILMARTH, ZODY

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

September 20, 1936 --- July 20, 1960

Services For Jack McDermott

Mr. and Mrs. C. H. McDermott received word Thursday evening of the unexpected death of their son Jack McDermott in Houston, Tex.

His death was caused by a gunshot wound. The findings of the coroner have not been received at this time and the cause has not been established.

When he did not show up at his work the second day an investigation was started and his body was found near a bridge on a side road near Houston Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

He was employed as storekeeper at Ellington Air Base in Houston and serving under the 147 National Guard Ground Fighters.

Memorial services were held at Ellington Field Friday morning before the body was shipped to Eagle Grove for burial. A requiem mass was offered by the Adult Club at St. Augustine's church there Friday morning.

Requiem mass was read in Sacred Heart church here at 10 o'clock Saturday morning by Rev. Maurice Mullan, and the blessing of the casket and short services were held at the church at 4:30 p.m. following arrival of the body from the train at Iowa Falls. Military rites followed at Calvary Cemetery where burial was made in the family lot.

Casket bearers were James Frakes, Marvin Carpenter, Ronald Adams, James Mlddleton, Jerry Helmick and John Moeding.

Jack was born in Eagle Grove, Sept. 20th, 1936. He attended Sacred Heart grade school and was graduated from Eagle Grove high school in 1954. He enlisted in the Navy soon after and received his boot training at Great Lakes Naval Training station. He was stationed at San Diego, Calif., having been assigned to the U.S. carrier the Kearsarge.

Following his term of duty he was separated from the Navy Aug. 22, 1957 as a store keeper. He spent short time at home, and went to Houston, Texas where he was offered the position of storekeeper inspector at Ellington Air Force Base. In 1958 he was named "Man of The Year" of his squadron.

For some time he made his home with the family of his brother-in-law, and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Zody. Mr. Zody's mother, Mrs. Katherine Zody of Cedar Rapids was visiting there at the time and accompanied Jack's body to Eagle Grove.

Jack was last home in November of 1959, to attend his parents 35th wedding anniversary.

In May of this year he was elected vice-president of the Catholic Adult Club of St. Augustine's Parish in Houston, Tex.

No exact date or time of his death is known, as he was last seen the evening of July 19th following a telephone conversation with his sister Donna, Mrs. Zody, who was awaiting the birth of a child, born Thursday morning.

Jack is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. C. H. McDermott, two sisters, Mrs. Forrest Zody, (Donna) of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Jim O. Johnson, (Colleen) of Grimes, two brothers, Richard of Waterloo and Joe of Eagle Grove.

Attending the services from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. R. F. McDermott and family, Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Johnson and family, Grimes; Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Johnson and Mrs. Frank Johnson, of Ft. Dodge; Ruth Wilmarth of Belmond; Mrs. R. N. Bradley, Arthur and Anne of Clarion; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McDermott of Thor; Josephine Manacke (Mahncke), of Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Sprengelmeyer and Jane Ann of Hammond, Ind; Mrs. Katherine Zody of Cedar Rapids.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
July 28, 1960

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Transcriber’s Note: Transcribed as published. Iowa State Department of Health Delayed Certificate of Birth Full name at birth: John Leo McDermott (Jack Lee) Date of birth: Sept. 20, 1936 Birthplace: Eagle Grove, Wright Co., Iowa Father: Full Name: Christopher McDermott Birthplace Eagle Grove, Wright Co. Iowa Mother: Maiden Name: Mary Agnes Clark Birthplace: Belmond, Wright Co. Iowa Signature: John Leo McDermott Address: 513 E. 3rd St. N. Eagle Grove, Iowa Date: March 25, 1954. Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982 for John McDermott Harris - 1960 - Jul-Sep Place of Death: Harris, Texas Length of Stay: 31/2 years City: Houston (Ellington Field) Name of Deceased: John Mc Dermott Date of Death: July 20, 1960 Date of Birth Sept. 20, 1936 Age: 23 Occupation: Warehouseman Business: Ellington Field Birthplace: Eagle Grove, Iowa Father’s Name: John Mc Dermott Mother’s Name: Mary Agnes Clark U. S. Armed Forces: U. S. Navy Death was caused by: Gunshot Wound Of Head. Medical Certification: Suicide Injury: Shot Injury Occurred: Farm Road #528 City: Precinct #2 Harris, Texas. Inquest Approx. 8:00 P.M. Burial: Removal Date: July 22, 1960 Cemetery: Mt. Calvery Location: Eagle Grove, Iowa.]