Jack E. Roush

Sunbury – Jack E. “Cracker Jack” Roush, 94, of Fourth Street, passed away, Friday, May 29, 2020 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Jack was born May 28, 1926 in Sunbury a son of the late Clarence A. “Bal” and Elizabeth Catherine (Burkey) Roush.  On November 27, 1958 he married the former Mary Kathryn Hoagland who survives.  In Jack’s own humorous words, he was married for 59 combative years and 2 good years, after saying “I do” he wasn’t able to get another word in.

He was a 1944 graduate of Sunbury High School, where he was elected student band director and art editor of the yearbook.  He earned a BS degree from Bucknell University in 1951. He was elected to several honorary fraternities and was also Art Editor of the “Bucknell Engineer” magazine.  He was also an official Sturgis pretzel twister and a novice wine tester.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II until his honorable discharge on July 17, 1946 with the rank of Electronic Technician’s Mate he began what he jokingly described as “enduring an unsuccessful engineering career” with several electronic manufacturing companies.  One of his accomplishments was installing a wireless telemetry system for safety tests of crash vehicles at Ford in Dearborn. As a result of his work, Jack was given the name “Crash” and proudly displayed trophy crash helmets on his desk.  A few of his employers included; Philco-Ford, Zenith in Watsontown, and after many years of service he retired as a civil engineer for Navelex at the Ships Parts Control Center in Mechanicsburg.

He attended Faith United Methodist Church, Sunbury.

Jack was a talented trumpet player, playing in a jazz band and he was a great artist, cartoonist.  His “cracker Jack” humor will be greatly missed, especially at Christmas.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law Ken and Jodi Roush of Sunbury, Kim and Jennifer Kazar of Seminole, FL his daughter and favorite son-in-law Kathy and Greg Derr of Sunbury, grandchildren Justin, Jesse, and Lacie Derr, Tucker and Tyler Roush, Elizabeth, Edward and his wife Krystal Kazar, great grandchildren Jude Derr and Elliana Kazar, he is survived by one sister Jean Roush of Sunbury.

Funeral services will be private with Rev. Ronald Troup officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington.

Contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to his church, Faith United Methodist Church, P.O.  Box 387, Sunbury PA   17801 or as he requested to his widow so she could buy diamonds to flaunt for her fellow guests at Forsake Acres Nursing Home.  She will continue to perform her routine stand-up act to entertain her foggy friends.

Arrangements are by the Zweier Funeral Home, 157 Chestnut Street, Sunbury.

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