Jack Rooks

John Dunaway "Jack" Rooks, II, 82, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at Baptist Hospital.\ Visitation will be Sunday, June 7, from 3 - 6 p.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church in Jackson and again on Monday, June 8 from 10 - 11 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St. Therese. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park.\ Jack was born on November 20, 1926 in Nutbush, Tennessee, the youngest son of John Dunaway Rooks and Carrie Graves Rooks and grew up on their family farm. He played football and was a member of the debate team at Haywood County High School. After graduation, he joined the Merchant Marines and served as a radio operator on a freighter in the North Atlantic. \ In 1947 he returned to Tennessee to work for Kelso Hardware in Brownsville until1952 when he joined the Air Reserve and flew combat missions for two years during the Korean Conflict. Afterwards, he was employed by Shapleigh Hardware Company and was assigned to their Vicksburg territory. In Vicksburg he met his future wife and the love of his life, the former, Elizabeth "Bettie" Golden Salmon, whom he married in November 1957. The same year they moved to Jackson, Mississippi and Jack became a partner in Revell Hardware Company in Jackson. He purchased the company in 1974 from Joe Revell and expanded the Revell Hardware into a large and successful retail hardware business over the subsequent 30 years. He retired in 2004.\ Jack and Bettie established their home in the Leavell Woods Community of south Jackson where they raised seven children, and he made significant contributions to the community through his volunteer work and leadership in several charities including the Boys and Girls Club, the Exchange Club, Leavell Woods Youth Association, St. Therese Catholic School and Church, Lions Club and the Hinds/South Jackson Development Association. He received numerous civic awards and recognition over the past several decades for his devoted community service and philanthropy as well as his outstanding service and leadership in the hardware industry.\ He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, woodworking, travel and reading and delighted in his children and grandchildren as well as many special dogs. Jack was a parishioner at St. Therese where he provided untold hours of volunteer service for over 50 years.\ He was patriotic, humble, community-minded, humorous, loving, focused and hardworking. The way he lived his life and lived out his faith was an inspiration to his family and numerous friends. He was adored and loved by many. \ \ \ \ \ \ He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ned Rooks. \ He is survived by his wife Bettie, his sister Frances Mann (Brownsville, TN), sons Dunaway (Teresa) of Pearl, Russell (Lele) of Jackson, Joe (Lisa) of Raymond, and Tim (Kim) of Brandon and daughters Elizabeth Barber (Gerald) of Ridgeland, Helen Butts (Larry) of Jackson and Frances Patterson (Gregg) of Frisco, TX. Survivors also include 18 grandchildren: John Rooks (Jackson), Robert Rooks (Pearl), Paxton, Graham and Charlie Rooks (Raymond), Jack and Will Butts (Jackson), Rooks, Revell, Russell and Olivia Patterson (Frisco, TX), Sam, Max and Luke Rooks (Brandon), Haley, Zoe, Phoebe and James Rooks (Jackson) and many beloved sister and brother in-laws, nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends.\ In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to the charity of your choice or Boys and Girls Club, Catholic Charities, St. Therese Catholic Church or School Endowment Fund, Palmer Children's Home or Boy Scouts of America.\ \ On line guest book at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.\ \ \