Published: February 27, 2008 10:57 am      

Garland Jack Gravitt

Jack Gravitt, 71, died unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, of natural causes.

Memorial services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 710 North Austin Street, Seguin.

Gravitt was born July 18, 1936, in Caddo, Okla., but was a Texan by choice.

He was the son of the late Ray and Lydia Gravitt. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1954 and from Baylor University in 1958. Jack went on to receive a MA from Southwest Texas State University and a PhD from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.. He taught English at SWT for many years and then became chairman of the English Department and later Dean of Liberal Arts at SWT.

Jack was a loyal friend, an avid movie critic and a lover of literature and fast cars, and had a wicked wit. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a longtime Rotarian. He served on the Seguin ISD School Board for two years. Jack dedicated his life to educating and challenging young minds. He left a legacy with the School of Liberal Arts that will be long remembered.

He was a devoted husband for 35 years and an adoring father and grandfather. Grandad, you will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his daughter Lauri Welch and her husband Geary of Edmond, Okla. and grandchildren Courtney Elizabeth Jackson, Keaton Andrew Welch, and James Tyler Welch.

Gifts in his memory may be made to the G. Jack Gravitt Graduate Student Scholarship or the Gravitt Professorship in Media Studies, Texas State University, College of Liberal Arts, FH 313, 601 University Ave., San Marcos, Tx. 78666.