Jack Edward Storey
Born Oct. 18, 1929 to Lois Mildred Reardon Storey and Harry Mays Storey, Jack Edward Storey was the last born of three sons, Harry Lloyd and Patrick James who grew up in San Marcos, Texas.
His mother, Mildred, was a graphic artist who would create beautiful pieces of art, rather than dust, as it would aggravate her asthma. While he kept a spotless fridge and closet, and rinsed the dishes so well that he might as well have added soap and finished the job, the “no dusting” tradition carried over. His neighbor, Mrs. Casillas, told his daughter playfully, “I don’t think your Daddy’s hand fits a broom.”
That was my Daddy. But more importantly, my Daddy was a kind and loving man. Friendly and warm, always sweet and sunny, he was a true people person who others found to be amiable and chatty. He had a cute chuckle and believed people should be treated with kindness, warmth, gentleness and affection.
Early in his career, he owned Storey’s Photography Studio in San Marcos, which was located in the downtown square. He later worked for Richard Pond and photographed hundreds of University and high school students, Rattlers and Strutters, and many weddings. He loved children, all children, and worked as a photographer with the State of Texas Dept. of Human Resources Media Services and shot many pictures documenting cases of abuse, which was painful for him, as well as children at play for promoting Head Start among other things.
My Dad was very generous. He enjoyed helping others, and would share what he had, such as it was, with friends, coworkers, family, and strangers. When he worked at Austin Community College, a coworker and student lost everything she owned when her apartment building had a fire. Daddy gave her $500 and told her “this is not a loan.” Seeing someone suffer would bring him to tears, and he felt he should do something about it.
Dad’s maternal grandfather, Timothy Claude Reardon, was one of the early forefathers of the 1st United Methodist Church in San Marcos as well as the San Marcos Fire Chief for many years. He and his wife Ora Reardon were very active in their time to better their beloved San Marcos. They, my Dad, and his dad Harry regularly attended church. At one point I became fearful that my Dad only went to church in habit and told him I was afraid and why. Gently and patiently he quoted me the love chapter in 1st Corinthians chapter 13, “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud or easily offended, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love never fails.”
“Storey” fit him well as a name. He loved to tell stories and tales, often repeatedly, which I enjoyed, because my Dad had great ones! Such as the time he was an Air Force Military Policeman and Color Guard, standing by the ropes of a military celebrity golf game, and flipped the rope up (he didn’t know why he thought it would help) and General McAuliffe’s golf ball hit the rope and bounced back on the green. (General McAuliffe was the one who said “nuts!” to the Germans in WWII.) Another time he was guarding a building alone, and heard something whiz by, pulled his weapon and discharged a round into the ceiling before he realized a bat was trapped in the building! Boy, could he tell stories, repeatedly, regularly, more for the joy of telling than for the listener who had often heard them many times.
Did I mention he loved children? He especially loved me. He told me often, “I love my girl.” He would nudge me or make a little sound, and when I looked, he’d give me a wink, and say “love my girl.” Anyone who knew my Dad knew he was crazy about me. I was the apple of his eye, his daughter, (he would exclaim “daughter!” when aggravated, or when he thought I said something outlandish, or funny). Dad was soft hearted, and would tear up when something touched him, or if someone was hurting. Kind and gentle, he was always there for me. He helped me when I was young, helped me when I was old, and when I could help myself, he reluctantly let me.
My Daddy would do anything for “his girl.” And often, for any other kids around me. He took beautiful pictures of my step-sister Anne’s graduation from nursing school, her wedding and birthday parties. Dad took me and Peggy (our neighbor’s daughter who I grew up with), and Anne, Sherry and any other kids or relations that happened to be with us, to the movies, out for ice cream, to Gil’s broiler, or to the mall. He’d spring for lunch or dinner for family and friends.
He maintained a positive relationship with my Mom and two step-fathers. It was important to him that relationships remained amicable even in unpleasant circumstances. He loved his family, and especially nephews Albert and Jimmy Storey, and nieces Edie Storey Baughman and Terry Marie Storey Smith. He was like a second Dad to Terry Marie. He would shake his keys, while all the other adults were chattering away at the dining room table, and motion to the door to Terry Marie, and take her to Walling’s Creamery for Chocolate Malts, which Terry still craves to this day. He would take her to Blue Hole in Wimberly to swim in the cold, beautiful, spring water. Dad had lots of experience in “little girl spoiling” and shared his spoiling with me once I came along.
His brother Pat’s sons Albert and Jimmy were like his sons, too. Albert lived with Dad, and cared for him for 10 years until Dad wasn’t able to walk anymore, at which time we moved him to Hays Nursing, where he received excellent care and loving hands from the staff, who called him “Puddin,’” because he would sneak pudding off the nurses carts. Albert was cut from the same cloth, both loved Bobcat ball – football, baseball, volleyball and basketball. Both are homebodies who like to eat out, and take a drive down by the college (Dad would say to look at the college girls!) Albert’s brother Jimmy and wife Andi, with their three beautiful girls, would come see Dad regularly, and go to Canyon Lake, ballgames or out to eat. Jimmy would cut the yard, or clean or fix something around the house. It’s poetic and fitting that my cousins will be staying in Dad’s home. My family have the same loving, welcoming ways as my Dad.
I want the whole world to know that my Dad was the best father a child could hope for, as well as the best Uncle, Son, Brother and Grandson. I wish everyone could have a Dad like mine, who loved me, told me and showed me often, and lived out Jesus’ commandment: “Love one another, as I have loved you.”
Be with Jesus, Daddy. Save some room in your mansion for me in your heavenly home. I love you.
Angel (Angelica Marie Storey) Anderson
Jack Edward Storey passed away comfortably, June 19, 2018 at 88 years old. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Mildred Storey, his father, Harry Mayes Storey, his brothers Harry Lloyd and Pat James Storey.
If you knew Jack, we invite you to come share your Jack stories at the memorial service this Saturday, June 23, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Pennington Funeral Home.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512-353-4311.
