Jack B. England, Jr

Jack B. England, Jr. was born October 21, 1922 in Commerce, TX. He attended elementary school in Ft. Worth, but returned to Commerce at the age of 13 where he attended Commerce High School and played trombone in the high school band. He graduated from Commerce High School in 1940. After graduation Jack took a job with Montgomery Ward Company in Ft. Worth and remained there until World War II began in 1941. He resigned his job and joined the Air Force shortly after Pearl Harbor. Following basic training, he was stationed in New York and Fairfield, Ohio, until July 1942, at which time his unit was shipped overseas where he spent the next two and one half years in England and France. In February 1945 Jack returned to the United States and was stationed at Wilmington, North Carolina, and later San Antonio, where he was honorably discharged in October 1945. Jack enrolled as a music major at East Texas State University in Commerce in 1946 and played trombone in the marching, concert and dance bands. He graduated in August 1948 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and received his Master of Arts degree in July 1951, both from East Texas State University. His first teaching position was in Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, Texas, where he remained for eight years. This was followed by a seven year stint at Kilgore High School which he left in 1963 to become Director of Instrumental Music and High School Band Director with the Pine Tree Independent School District in Longview, Texas. Under Jack?s leadership the Pine Tree High School Band received many honors. For five years in a row, the Band was awarded Best Band in the Corpus Christi Buccaneer Days Parade, and one year the group was selected to perform as lead band in the Buccaneer Stadium. The Pine Tree Band was also honored at the Fiesta of Five Flags in Pensacola by winning the Sweepstakes Award for all parades and the field event. Twelve years later in 1975, Jack suffered a heart attack and upon returning to teaching he was reassigned to an administrative position as Director of Music to oversee band and choral activities at all levels. He retained this position until his retirement in June 1985 which concluded a successful tenure of 22 years with Pine Tree Schools. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joie Tomlinson England, two children and their spouses, Dr. Richard England and wife, Barbara of Longview; Karen England Herron and husband, Rick, of Longview; three grandchildren, Lorri Stone of Gladewater, Kollin Huddleston of Longview, and Kana Huddleston of Longview and four great grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. England have been long time members of the Greggton United Methodist Church of Longview. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, September 23, 2006, at Greggton United Methodist Church under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Friday, September 22, 2006, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Pine Tree, Kilgore and Pittsburg Band Booster Clubs.

Jack B. England, Jr

October 21, 1922 - September 20, 2006