John Robert PEMBERTON

NESSA, PEMBERTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

April 29, 1934 ---- August 23, 2019

John (Jack) Robert Pemberton was born April 29, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., to Clare and William Pemberton. He graduated from Hearst High School in Chicago, Ill., in 1952. After high school, Jack attended college at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) where he majored in Chemistry and served in the ROTC. Jack was also an active member in the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. During college, Jack worked in Climax, Colo., and worked in the mines. He worked various jobs, including driving trucks up the mountainside and during the summers would work inside the tunnels. Jack graduated from college in 1956.

During Jack’s last year of college, his parents left Chicago and moved to Colorado to run the Lucky GJ Ranch in Gypsum. Jack also worked at this ranch and took care of the people staying there. During this time, a young teacher from Iowa named Jean Nessa was also working at the ranch for the summer. Jack’s mom Clare introduced Jack and Jean to each other. Jack and Jean were married on Sept. 2, 1955, at American Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colo.

In 1956, Jack and Jean Pemberton moved to Ames, Iowa, so he could work for the Ames Reliable Feed Company as an analyst for several years. For a 6 month period in 1958, Jack served in the Military in the Chemical Warfare Division in Anniston, Ala. In 1959, Jack joined the National Guard, serving in both the Iowa and Maryland National guards, for a total of 8 years of service.

In 1959, Jack and Jean then moved to Silver Springs, Md., to work for the USDA. While in Maryland, their first son John Robert, Jr. was born on Jan. 22, 1960.

The Pemberton Family moved to Story City, Iowa, in 1961 and Jack continued to work for the USDA in Ames. He first worked for the Animal Disease Lab, and then became the head of Chemistry for the Veterinary Biology Department. Jack and Jean welcomed their daughter, Jane, on March 23, 1962.

Throughout the 1960′s, Jack continued his educational career and received his Master’s from Iowa State in 1966, followed by a PHD in Bacteriology & Immunology from Iowa State in 1971.

Jack was active in his community of Story City. In 1972, he was elected to the Story City – City Council and served as mayor of Story City from 1974-1978. He was also a member of St. Petri Lutheran Church for 30 years where he served on the church council for several years.

During his work career, Jack took several trips abroad. On behalf of the World Bank, he traveled to Mexico and Europe. Most notably, he was the United States Representative for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. He attended the WHO conference twice. During one of the trips, his wife Jean attended as well and after the conference they enjoyed a 3 week trip of a lifetime around Switzerland.

Jack retired in 1989. He and Jean moved to Washburn, Mo., to fulfill a lifelong dream of farming. During this active retirement, Jack and Jean raised Gelbvieh Cattle. Several of their grandchildren would spend several weeks at a time with them at the farm, which was enjoyed by all. After 12 years of farming, Jack and Jean retired again to Cassville, Mo.

During their time in Missouri, the Pembertons attended Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Jack was the president of the congregation for several years. They also were active members with the Golden Harvest Retirement Group where they enjoyed many lunches and dinners with their fellow retired friends.

In 2012, Jack and Jean moved to Overland Park, Kan., and resided in Brookdale Senior Living. Jack enjoyed his years at Brookdale and met many wonderful friends while living there.

John (Jack) Pemberton passed away on Aug. 23, 2019, at the age of 85.

Jack is survived by his wife Jean, his children John (Michelle) and Jane (John), his five Grandchildren (Tyler, Justin, Thomas, Emily and Sarah) and his four Great-Grandchildren (Lincoln, Declan, Jamison and Elle).

A memorial service for Jack will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. in the entertainment room at Brookdale Senior Living, 6101 West 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209. Memorial contributions can be made to the Church of the Resurrection Backpack program in Jack Pemberton’s name.

https://www.johnsoncountychapel.com/obituary/JohnJack-Pemberton