John William “Jack” McDermand passed away at Great Plains Health on July 18, 2016 at age 88. Jack was born in Crete Nebraska on January 4, 1928, the youngest child of Percy W. and Ruth McFall McDermand. He and his siblings Betty, Dan, and Mary had an idyllic childhood growing up in Crete, which provided Jack with many happy memories which stayed with him his entire life. He graduated from Crete High School in 1946, where he enjoyed playing football as well as playing in the band and singing in the chorus.
He enrolled in Doane College, pursuing a BA in mathematics and continuing with music. It was while singing with Doane Choir that he met Clarice Droullard from Grand Island, who was studying piano and organ at Doane and they began dating. When Clarice contracted polio, and was hospitalized for many months in Grand Island, Jack would hitchhike from Crete each weekend to see her. They were married in Grand Island, June 4, 1950 after his graduation from Doane.
Jack’s first job took him to Bridgeport Nebraska where he worked for Bridgeport State Bank as teller and cashier. A son, Andrew Alan, was born to Jack and Clarice in Bridgeport in 1951. In January of 1954, the family moved to North Platte where Jack became associated with McDonald State Bank. In 1955, daughter Leigh Ellen joined the family.
Jack loved his job at McDonald State Bank. When the bank was downtown at 5th and Dewey, his desk was out in the open near the front door. He liked to greet each customer that came through the door, but found that it was difficult to get all of his work done. Many nights each week, and for many years, he would go back to the bank after supper to finish that work. He moved through various positions within the bank, finally becoming President in 1981. McDonald State Bank became United Nebraska Bank, from which he retired in 1991.
Professionally, Jack graduated from the Colorado School of Banking in 1960. He held many positions on the Executive Council of the Nebraska Bankers Association during his career, and also served on the National Bankers Association committee.
Jack was a 60+ year member of First Presbyterian Church and served as Elder. He sang in the church choir from 1970 to 2014.
Civically, he belonged to the Jaycee organization, serving on the committee that planned and constructed the Lake Maloney Golf Course. He was a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and was personally in charge of organizing the Ambassadors group, and served as chairman during the first year of its organization. He served as president of the United Way. He was also a board member of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation.
He was elected to two terms of the North Platte Public Schools Board of Education from 1972 to 1980, serving as president in 1976 and 1980. He was proud to be a part of the decisions to build both Eisenhower Elementary and the new Adams Middle School. He and Clarice also served on the Alumni Advisory Council of Doane College from 2006 to 2009.
Musically, he was a founding member of the Sandhills Symphony in 1961 serving as treasurer for the organization.. He was member and treasurer of the North Platte Concert Association for many years, beginning in 1956. He also sang in the North Platte Community Chorale, the Heartland Singers, and played various instruments in the City Band. He also enjoyed playing in several popular dance bands over the years and enjoyed the friendships he formed in those groups.
Athletically, Jack played tennis and golf, loved to swim, and before it was ‘popular’, began the habit of running at a time when people just didn’t do that. He ran year ‘round, early in the morning and in every kind of weather on the high school track. He logged well over 10,000 miles before he hung up his running shoes.
As a husband, Jack was kind and caring. Every meal that Clarice made was proclaimed ‘delicious’, no matter what it was. Jack and Clarice traveled the world in their later years, visiting 56 different countries and every state in the Union. They loved to take cruises and tours. They had a swimming pool put in their back yard which they loved. For several years, Jack and Clarice wintered in Green Valley AZ.
As a father, Jack was the best! He always found the time to be with Andy and Leigh. He loved to take them ice skating in the winter, and swimming in the summer. He was always up for a game of catch, whether it be football, baseball, or frisbee. He liked to play games of all kinds on cold winter nights. Jack prided himself in planning awesome family vacations all over the U.S. and did most of the driving himself. As a father-in-law, he was kind and welcoming to Chuck and they enjoyed each other’s company.
As a grandfather, he loved his twin grandsons Nick and Sam more than words can say. He loved attending their events, especially their music concerts from middle school through college.
When they were young, he was happy to be on the floor playing with them. As they got older, he was always up for a card game, a swim, a sleepover. Music events at Hastings College for Nick, and Doane College for Sam became the highlights of his life. He was also overjoyed to welcome Nick’s wife Marcia to the family.
When Clarice died in 2009, Jack was heartbroken. “She always took such good care of me,” he would say. It was about this time that he began developing signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, despite his excellent physical condition and healthy eating habits. He tried to continue with his regular activities, as well as learn new things such as laundry and cooking, but his days became more and more of a struggle. He had adopted a rescue cat from a shelter when Clarice died, and ‘Sweetie’ became the love of his life. He did a wonderful job of caring for her and she in turn took care of him, even as they moved into assisted living together. He would take her for long walks in her kitty stroller, which they both enjoyed. We’re not sure who rescued who there!
Jack’s last 2 years at Linden Court in Memory Support have been both heartbreaking and wonderful. The nurses and CNA’s became like family to him and his family, and he was always happy to see them, unless it was bath day. Jack’s family would like to thank Linden Court Memory Support for the exemplary and compassionate care that was provided to him during these 2 difficult years, and also thank Jack’s primary care Doctor Kent Allison and his staff.
One word that we’ve continually heard in this sad time has been ‘Gentleman’. Jack truly was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was always kind and never had a harsh word about anyone. He dressed for every occasion, and that usually meant a tie and jacket. He had many good friends and was well respected in the community. He was a loving family man.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty and brother Dan. His son Andy died at age 24 in 1975. Wife Clarice died in 2009. Jack is survived by his daughter Leigh and her husband Chuck Henline, grandsons Sam of Colorado, and Nick and his wife Marcia of North Platte, and his beloved cat Sweetie, who lives with Nick and Marcia. Jack’s sister Mary of Beatrice also survives him, as well as 3 nieces and 1 nephew.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church or “Fur the Love of Paws” rescue organization in honor of his beloved rescue ‘Sweetie’ and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Services will be delayed until August 15 at First Presbyterian Church, 1901 West Leota, in North Platte. There will be a private family burial following. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
