Jack B. Moncrief, at the age of 91 and the last remaining Charter Member of the All Sports Association went home to his LORD and Savior Jesus Christ on Oct. 15th at his summer residence in Ogunquit, Maine. He was born in Muskogee, OK to John Franklin Moncrief and Ida Naomi Gipson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Dorothy (Dodee) Maude Timberlake; daughters, Jackie (Moncrief) Jones and husband Mike, Deborah (Moncrief) Wood and husband Jim, Cary (Moncrief) Dubie and husband Ted, Roslyn (Moncrief) Boyd and husband Ronnie; his 7 grandchildren, Christopher Jones and wife Shalla and Patrick Jones; Natalie Dubie Noppert and husband Justin, Paul Dubie, April Dubie; Neeli and Hannah Boyd; 3 Great grandchildren, Benjamin Jones, Charlie and Elijah Noppert. Jack loved his daughters and grandchildren and great grandchildren more than anything. Jack's love of athletics and sports was evident throughout his education and career. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, TX in 1940 where he was President of the Senior class. As quarterback he led Woodrow Wilson to the state Conference Title. He attended Southern Methodist University and lettered in 3 sports: football, basketball, and track. While in college Jack volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was stationed in London, England and was chosen to guard the maps for the D-Day Invasion. He was privileged to meet General Eisenhower and General Patton. Later He was selected to be a Sergeant Instructor at the Physical Training School, Coventry, England, helping to rehabilitate soldiers. After the war, Jack returned to SMU and graduated in 1947 with a B.S. permanent teaching degree in Physical and Health Education. While in the Dallas area from 1949 – 1951, Jack was the director of Physical Education for the Oak Cliff Branch of the YMCA. He moved to OKC as Associate Director of Physical Education in 1951 and was promoted to Director of the Department of Physical Education and coordinator of all of the OKC branches of the YMCA in 1953 until 1960. He was responsible for formulating policies for total building operation prior to moving into the new YMCA building in 1952. While Director, he was the coordinator of the YMCA National Volleyball Tournament, a first for OKC, 1954. He was also instrumental in developing and promoting the Church Basketball League (city wide). Jack was selected as one of 40 in the U.S. to serve on President Eisenhower's Physical Fitness Committee in 1956, and in 1957 was one of 3 finalists for "Oklahoma City Young Man of the Year." In 1959 he received the highest award given by the Southwest area YMCA for his contribution to health and physical education. Jack was also the General Manager of the Highlander Bowling Palace and supervised the construction of it. He was also a Board Member and Committee Chairman of the State Bowling Association, as well as the Tournament coordinator for the National Professional Bowling Tournament, a first for OKC in 1962. He was awarded a Life Membership by PBA for this effort. Jack was a Charter member and past Vice President of the Greater OKC All Sports Association. He helped to promote Triple A Professional Baseball and the building of a stadium for OKC. He was a member of a committee of 3 to make a bid for the National Softball Association and Hall of Fame in Anaheim, CA in 1965, ending in a vote to locate in OKC. Jack was also instrumental in promoting ice hockey and an all-purpose sports arena for OKC. He was one of the 40 people who started underwriting the All College Basketball Tournament in 1957. Jack was chairman of the Big 8 Baseball Tournament campaign for 12 years and he helped to bring the Air Show to OKC. He was also a member of the OKC Chamber of Commerce Sports and Recreation Committee. Jack joined the Oak Cliff Lions Club in Dallas in 1949 and when he moved to OKC, he joined the Downtown Lions Club. While a member he was ask by the Past International President Dr. Eugene Briggs to start a new club in NW OKC. The Oklahoma City Expressway Lions Club (now the OKC Metro Lions Club) was born on May 6, 1965. He was charter President of the new 38 member club. At the age of 80, after 60 years of service Jack was presented a Life Membership in Lions Clubs International. He has been an active and revered member all these years. He established the Lion Jack Moncrief Eyeglass Fund which has been used to provide eyeglasses to many people in our community. Jack was Past President of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority Dad's Club at OU 1965 -1969 where all 4 daughters were Tri Deltas. He had a great time participating with his daughters in the Dad's Day activities and going to the Tri Delta house on football game days. Jack was a long time member of Crown Heights Christian Church, serving as Deacon, Board member, Church Clerk, President of his Sunday School class, and youth Sunday School teacher. He was a Charter member of New Convenant Christian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder. Jack demonstrated his faith every day of his life. He was an avid reader and never stopped wanting to learn. He loved farming, gardening, drilling for oil, and telling a good joke and story. He was never shy about giving advice to his children and grandchildren and some of his words of wisdom remembered by his daughters are:
"You only retain what you give away."
"Your health is your wealth."
"The brain can only absorb what the seat can endure."
"The reason one doesn't recognize an opportunity – it's usually disguised as hard work.
"Eat your vegetables. They will put hair on your chest." (not taken too well by the girls)
He was deeply loved by his family and will be truly missed. The family will receive guests at Smith & Kernke N. May, Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 5-7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, Oct. 24th at New Convenant Christian Church, 12000 N. Rockwell, OKC. Memorial donations can be made to New Convenant Christian Church or to the Charity of your choice.