PHONE: (972) 562-2601 John Cooper "Jack" Winthrop, Jr. August 3, 1920 - December 3, 2011 John Cooper Jack Winthrop, Jr., age 91, of Allen, Texas, passed away unexpectedly December 3, 2011, in McKinney, Texas. Jack was born August 3, 1920, in DuQuoin, Illinois, to John Cooper and Laura Lucy (Webb) Winthrop, Sr. He learned to fly at age 17. Jack attended Southern Illinois University. He and Pauline Hunter were married in 1943 and remained married for fifty-seven years until her death in 2000. They raised four daughters. Jack proudly served in the United States Air Force during World War II and during the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict. After leaving the Air Force, Jack was a pilot for Braniff International for thirty-four years. He retired from Braniff on August 3, 1980. Jack was a member of the BISE Club, the Quiet Birdmen, the Antique Aircraft Association, the American WACO Club, and a lifetime member of EAA. He was also an avid square dancer. Jack had a flight instructor s rating until he was ninety. He had three daughters who had pilot s licenses and he taught three grandsons to fly. He is survived by his daughters, Janet Mestemacher and husband, James of Whitesboro, Texas and Nancy Staley and husband, Preston of Weston, Texas; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one greatgreat-grandchild; brother, Gene Winthrop of DuQuoin, Illinois; and companion, Catherine Pudge Ward of Allen, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Pauline, daughters, Marilyn Reese and Elizabeth Dacy, grandson, Michael Dodd, and brother, Bob Winthrop. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at Turrentine-Jackson- Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice or the Visiting Nurses Association of McKinney. Memorials I was so sorry to hear of Uncle Jack's passing. I wish we had been able to attend the services, but our thoughts and prayers were with you. LAURA JEAN WINTHROP KORANDO, DECEMBER 14, 2011
We will miss Jack as a neighbor and friend at Kittyhawk. Our thoughts are with his wonderful family and friends in aviation and in life. JAY AND LESLIE BARNES, DECEMBER 8, 2011 Our deepest sympathy to you all. Jack was a very special person. Steve enjoyed him giving him such a "rough" time. Jack said after watching him and Jerry Brown at Creve Couer he gave up drinking. What a guy. We will miss him greatly at the winter meetings and summer fly-ins. God Bless. STEVE & AMY BROWN, DECEMBER 8, 2011 Jack was a lifelong friend of my Dad and Mom, Gene and Frances Slater. Dad passed away 6 days before Jack. The last conversation we had in the hospital was him asking me to find out if Jack had gotten moved into his new home and how he was doing. So even in the hospital he was thinking of his good friend. It's amazing and wonderful that they both lived into their 90s. My entire family was saddened to hear of his passing. Our condolences go out to Jack's family and Pudge. TONI M. BEHM, DECEMBER 8, 2011 I worked with Jack's brothers, Bob and Red, at the strip mines here in southern ill. met Jack the first time at our little airport at DuQuoin, Ill. about 1982.he and his daughter flew the Waco up from Texas. a gentleman in every since of the word. GOD be with his daughters and Pudge. with his ability to fly it wont take long to get to heaven. GOD speed my freind. George and Sherry Bailey, DuQuoin,Il. GEORGE R. BAILEY, DECEMBER 7, 2011 Jack and all the Braniff family were like aunts and uncles to the 4Ks. Losing Jack is a sad day for all who knew him and enjoyed the fruits of that greatest of generations. My everlasting prayers and sympathies, Kevin and Linda Evans KEVIN L EVANS, DECEMBER 7, 2011 Just today, before I got the news of Jack's passing, someone mentioned to me that they were going to Rio de Jeneiro. It brought back memories when I, as a teenager, my parents, Jack, Pauline and Elizabeth vacationed there together. This vacation has always been a wonderful memory for me and the last time I
visited with Jack, at my mother's funeral last February, he recounted many of the events that happened on that trip. It was touching for me to know that the vacation was as memorable for him as it was for me. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. ROGER AND LINDA LARSON, DECEMBER 6, 2011 Our condolences to the family of our dear Jack. The Fly-Ins at Jack's place were loved by all. A wonderful man, pilot and dear friend. He will be missed by all those that knew him. MICKEY/BARBARA CONN, DECEMBER 6, 2011 We have enjoyed be neighbors of Jack for the past 33 years. I loved his joy and enthusiam for flying and teaching others to fly. He had a great love & appreciation for famiuly and friends. He had many interesting stories to tell and loved to share them. Jack was a true friend and was always there to help when needed. We will truly miss him. JIM & ANITA RUSHING, DECEMBER 6, 2011 As Friends of Braniff, we have shared many happy times with Jack at the Fly- Ins at his home and later at other sites. I (Sally) even interviewed Jack for an article to be published in the magazine that the new airline, Legend, was hoping to publish. However, the airline and the magazine didn't survive. Jack always had a happy smile and had a refreshing bashfulness that endeared him to us. We will truly miss him. He's now with the Lord in heaven and beaming his smile to all his friends abiding there. SALLY AND DICK ROBERTS, DECEMBER 5, 2011 One of my favorite memories was the Braniff 727 making a LOW pass over Kitty Hawk (before de-regulation)! Jack & Pauline were the perfect host/hostess for the annual Memorial Day party, welcoming everyone with open arms. Jack has never let me forget the role he played in my daughter Jessica's birth, flying home all night from Latrobe, PA in the Twin Comanche with Geno. Jack, you are a treasure & will be missed! Nancy Soucy NANCY SOUCY, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Yes I remember him well. A real Gentleman, who knew how to treat a
greenhorn right out of Hostess training school. We had something in common; 34 years with the wonderful Braniff. RIP Jack...Deepest sympathy to the family. Dodie Cronin O'Brien DODIE CRONIN O'BRIEN, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Godspeed, Jack. You were a wonderful pilot, QB, parent, husband, grandparent, and a good person. Our lives will be diminished by your departure from out midst. Our prayers and good wishes go out to your family and other friends. Don Smith DON WILEY SMITH, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Too many to name. We still had lunch once a month. Jack JACK L MORTON, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Jack was truly one of a kind who had a warm smile for everyone. He and Pauline always had an open door anytime we flew in for a visit. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I loved listening to his stories about how it was back in the days of the "real" airlines. Mary Pearson MARY PEARSON, DECEMBER 5, 2011 We enjoy our time with Jack during our Lucas Loper days. He was such a great man. He will be missed. MARY AND GARY WHITE, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Jack was a man of the true spirit of aviation. He loved it and passed on his love and passion to many. He will be missed. MEL AND ANN ASBERRY, DECEMBER 5, 2011 Jack has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.growing up as part of the Braniff family, my memories of Jack and Pauline and the 4 girls are very precious. Still, when ever I comment on someone's do-it- yourself project I think fondly of Jack's typical remark of something like: "... you did it yourself, didn't you? Yeah, I can tell." Or, when talkiing about Pauline: "..she never worked a day in her life." Marie and I will miss him and his gentle goodnatured wit. My sympathies to the family and all of the people Jack touched during his life. We are all better off from knowing Jack. Steve and Marie Larson
STEVE & MARIE LARSON, DECEMBER 4, 2011 YOU WILL BE MISSED, PAPA JACK! CATHY MOZELLE FLEMING, DECEMBER 4, 2011 YOU WILL BE MISSED, PAPA JACK CATHY \ FLEMING, DECEMBER 4, 2011 Remember great QB gatherings at Jack's hanger, flying in his bi-plane, and wonderful tales of aviation. A great aviator, and a real gentleman. Hap Peterson QB 29189 HAP PETERSON, DECEMBER 4, 2011 The entire Swick family sends our thoughts and prayers to you, in this difficult time. Your Dad was a friend of my family (Jim and Mike Swick) for a long time. I remember the The Braniff Silver Eagles fly-ins we had at your Dad's hanger, and all the other fly-ins we all went to, it was such a wonderful life experience that most people do not get to have. Imagine, airplanes in your garage! We are truly sorry for your lose. Lareen Swick Rains LAREEN (SWICK) RAINS, DECEMBER 4, 2011 I'm very saddened to hear of Jack's passing and extend my condolences to Nancy, Janet, Pudge and the entire family. I can't say I knew Jack well, but I enjoyed each and every time I was around him over the years and have some great, funny memories from those visits. Jack was a very warm and friendly man and will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. STEVE SPOONTS, DECEMBER 4, 2011 Family Owned Since 1945 Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow is the premier provider of funeral services in North Texas, with seven convenient locations and three beautiful memorial parks. We are a locally owned family business that has served North Texas for over 70 years. Families who visit us receive the highest quality of professionalism and service, with compassion and care that are unsurpassed. Copyright 2015 (972) 562-2601