Jack Eugene Van Paris

Jack Eugene Van Paris lived a charmed life. On December 5, 1927, he was born to Levan and Irene (Van Lake) Van Paris, who preceded him in death as did his siblings Van, Richard and Pat. He enjoyed good health throughout his life, right up until two weeks before he left this world on December 27, 2021, surrounded by his wife, Nona, and as many of his children who could quickly gather to escort him on this final journey.

Jack was lucky to have known great love in his life. From his union with Adelyn (Ciula) Van Paris, deceased, he was blessed with four children: Kathy (John) Sharpe of Indianapolis, Jack (Susan) of Palm Desert, CA., Jonathan Scott (Lin) of South Bend and Jeff (Jan) of Indianapolis. He enjoyed 57 years of marriage to Nona (Keck) Van Paris, their union was blessed with three children: Barry (Glenda) of Florida, Tracy (Richard) Smikle of Indianapolis and Todd (Jana) of North Carolina. He was treasured by 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grands, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack and his family enjoyed his youth on the west side of South Bend, where he attended Harrison Grade and Washington High Schools. He savored golf, nature, painting, finding creative uses for pinecones, flying his Piper Cub single-engine airplane, dickering over a deal, a good Manhattan, walking Kyley (his most recent canine best friend), and “Date Night” with Nona as they relished retirement in Indianapolis. Throughout his life, he was continuously a “glass-half-full” kind of guy.

Many from South Bend/Elkhart knew Jack through his career in sales. He learned the ropes in his dad’s gas station, then transferred his skills to his appliance store on Western Avenue. He ultimately pursued a career in auto sales, including Romy Hammis, Jordan Ford, and, most recently, as Sales Manager at Lochmandy Motors in Elkhart, from which he retired in 1991. He was the consummate salesman, earning much recognition for his success and always making sure the customer got what they wanted while he most assuredly got what he needed from the deal. After his official retirement from sales, he held his dream job as starter for local golf courses. It was the perfect scenario!

He enjoyed telling a good story, be it about his golf game, the meteorite that fell in his backyard, the successes of his children and grandchildren or front-row tales of watching every Notre Dame home game from the stands ~ without exception! ~ for 74 years. He greatly loved the fact that he was able to shoot his age in golf, through his later years. Though teased frequently about his repeated stories, it will be one of the things those of us remaining will miss most about him.

No funeral is planned, but a Celebration of Life is anticipated later this year. Godspeed Jack! We are all grateful to have been a part of your charmed life.