Jack Mastin Abbott 04/02/1924 -2/18/2008

 Jack Mastin Abbott, 83, longtime Jacksonville resident and member of “the Greatest Generation”, passed from this life to life eternal on Monday, February 18, 2008. He was born in Jacksonville on April 2, 1924, to parents Clyde Bronson and Martha Ardell (Fenley) Abbott. He graduated Salutatorian of Jacksonville High School Class of ’41. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Abbott enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, and flew 50+ missions in North Africa and Italy in World War II, earning several medals for bravery including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Upon his return to the USA, he married Dorothy Geraldine (Feagin) Abbott in 1945. Aftger his release from the Army at the end of the World War II, they settled in Jacksonville. Abbott worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 39 years. In addition, he operated numerous business endeavors in the area – taxi business, feed store, Gulf service station, and broiler house operation, as well as building and operating rental properties in the area. In 1951, Abbott was recalled to the service of his country for the duration of the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Captain.
Abbott was a charter member of Beall Chapel Baptist Church, and was ordained a deacon there. He was active in church work, teaching Adult Sunday School, and could be found working quietly behind the scenes in various areas of service until his health failed. He was a 50-year member of the International Order of Oddfellows.
Abbott was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy (Feagin) Abbott and his daughter Nan (Abbott) Cooper.
He is survived by his loving wife and companion Rubie (Frazier) Abbott. His survivors also include their children: sons James C. (Buddy) Abbott and wife Kathy, and Glenn Frazier and wife Jerrie. Daughters surviving are Jane Knight and husband Curt of Baytown, Jackie Spraggins and husband Mike of Dialville, Debbie White and husband Larry of Tecula, Patty Ward and husband Glen of Plano, and Christie Trantham of Jacksonville.
In addition, he is survived by grandchildren: Richard and Mendi Cooper, Ronnie and Michelle Cooper, all of Henderson; Brett and Cara Burroughs of San Antonio; Jennifer and James Townsend of Spring; Bryan and Donna Burroughs of Highlands; Jana and Will Hodges of Carrollton; Emily and Chad Cauble of Dallas; Michael and Rachel Spraggins of Springtown; Lauren Abbott, Amanda Abbott, Scott and Melissa Frazier, Chizuru Frazier, Stacey Frazier, and Sean Frazier, all of Jacksonville; Mitchell White of Troup; T.J. White of Tyler; Steven Frazier of Maryland; Erin and Kelsey Ward of Plano; and Whitney and Cooper Trantham of Jacksonville.
His 16 great-grandchildren are Taylor Cooper, Ashley and Kyle Burroughs, Christian Stathopoulos, Ivy Grace Townsend, Tzvi and Xavier Burroughs, Gracey, Wyatt, and Sawyer Spraggins, Brandt Hodges, Sharon Davis, Alyssa White, Amy White, and Cody and Clay Frazier.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p. m. Friday, February 22, 2008 at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville with Rev. Bill Rambo and Rev. Ken McEachern officiating.

Burial will follow at Jarratt Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p. m. Thursday, February 21, 2008 at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.


For those desiring, donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas or Alzheimer’s research.

Information from Autry Funeral Home      

JACK MASTIN ABBOTT

Funeral for Jack Mastin Abbott, 83, of Jacksonville was at 2 p.m. Friday at Autry Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Rambo and the Rev. Ken McEachern officiating. Burial was in Jarratt Cemetery.

Mr. Abbott died Feb. 18. He was born in Jacksonville on April 21, 1924, to Clyde Bronson and Martha Ardell Fenley Abbott.

He graduated as salutatorian from Jacksonville High School in 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force and flew more than 50 missions in North Africa and Italy in World War II, earning several medals for bravery including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Upon his return to the U.S, he married Dorothy Geraldine Feagin in 1945. After his release from the Army at the end of World War II, they settled in Jacksonville. He worked for Southern Pacific Railroad for 39 years. In addition, he operated numerous businesses endeavors in the area.

In 1951, he was recalled to armed forces and served through the duration of the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of captain.

Mr. Abbott was a charter member of Beall Chapel Baptist Church and was an ordained deacon and adult Sunday school teacher. He was a 50-year member of the Independent Order of the Oddfellows.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy Feagin Abbott and his daughter, Nan Abbott Cooper.

Survivors are his wife, Rubie Frazier Abbott; two sons and daughters-in-law, James C. (Buddy) and Kathy Abbott and Glenn and Jerrie Frazier, all of Jacksonville; five daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Curt Knight of Baytown, Jackie and Mike Spraggins of Dialville, Debbie and Larry White of Tecula, Patty and Glen Ward of Plano and Christie Trantham of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Richard and Mendi Cooper, Ronnie and Michelle Cooper, all of Henderson, Brett and Cara Burroughs of San Antonio, Jennifer and James Townsend of Spring, Bryan and Donna Burroughs of Highlands, Jana and Will Hodges of Carrollton, Emily and Chad Cauble of Dallas, Michael and Rachel Spraggins of Springtown, Lauren Abbott, Amanda Abbott, Scott and Melissa Frazier, Chizuru Frazier, Stacey Frazier and Sean Frazier, all of Jacksonville, Mitchell White of Troup, T. J. White of Tyler, Steven Frazier of Maryland, Erin and Kelsey Ward of Plano, and Whitney and Cooper Trantham of Jacksonville; and great-grandchildren, Taylor Cooper, Ashley and Kyle Burroughs, Christian Stathopoulos, Ivy Grace Townsend, Tzvi and Xavier Burroughs, Gracey, Wyatt and Sawyer Spraggins, Brandt Hodges, Sharon Davis, Alyssa White, Amy White and Cody and Clay Frazier.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas or Alzheimer's research.

February 2008

Information from the Cherokeean Herald