Roll Call Tribute

(Published in) The (Bryan-College Station) Eagle (on) October 17, 2014

Threadgill, Jack

April 13, 1941 – October 14, 2014

Jack Milton Threadgill was born in Marlin, Texas on April 3, 1941, died October 14, 2014.

He spent his formative years in Brady, Texas and graduated high school in 1959. He attended the Texas A&M University as a corps of cadets where he was also a Ross Volunteer for the corp. He graduated class of 1963 with an electrical engineering degree.

He met Sharon Juett, his wife of 52 years, at the First Baptist Church of Bryan, Texas while attending services one Sunday in January of 1962. They were married at the same church on September 2, 1962. Barry was born in September of ’63, and Jack was sent from Fort Belvoir to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where he was stationed for service in the Army. While they were in Fort Huachuca, Randy was born in August of ‘64. After two years of service, he was honorably discharged from the Army and the family returned to Texas to begin their life together owning and operating one of Texas’s first cable TV companies with Jack’s father, John Threadgill, in Brady, Texas. Over the next several years, during this time the family lived, built, and operated numerous cable TV systems including Marlin, Coleman, and Hearne, Texas. While in Coleman, Jack began his long and numerous career of volunteerism by serving in the City of Coleman Volunteer Fire Department. At the time, Sharon became pregnant with their third child Shannon. The family moved to Bryan, and Shannon was born just five months later in 1969. Jack and Sharon have remained in Bryan, Texas since then. While living in Bryan, he worked as chief engineer for American Cablevision as well as building cable TV systems in Lulling and Bastrop.

While living in Bryan he was an active deacon at First Baptist Church of Bryan and served on numerous committees and outreach programs at the church. He also taught many a young person in the community while teaching in the training union and youth programs.

Over the last forty years, Jack served on numerous boards and businesses in Bryan as well as volunteered his time and resources on many worthwhile endeavors: He served on the Board of Directors at First National Bank where he put his astute business skills to good use for the bank and community. Served as President of the American Bonanza Society. Flew with Angel Flight. Used his plane and piloting abilities while serving on several committees for the church.

After semi-retirement from the cable industry he partnered and founded CableTime with his good friend, Darrel Campbell. He also managed a cattle operation with Darrel called CT Cattle at their ranch in Black Jack, Texas.

He also met Doug Pederson and together they developed Twin City Properties, a successful rental and property management company in Bryan.

Jack had a passion for many things, but one of his biggest was for flying. He owned and operated several aircraft and was a driving force to upgrade the facilities at the Coulter Field in Bryan. He had many certifications from the FAA including a mechanics license. This enabled him to own and operate several vintage aircraft including a 1941 Fairchild PT-19 WWII trainer, and a Piper Cub. He could be found every week at the airport working on his aircraft, and he loved taking friends and family on flights. He introduced many a young person and all of his grandchildren to the world of flying. He also flew his PT-19 in many airshows around the country. He and Sharon loved to travel together and enjoyed many adventures across the country flying together. They attended the airshow at Oshkosh, WI each year with their friends and grandchildren.

He and Sharon have a small cottage in the mountains of Colorado where at the young age of 62, Jack learned another passion of his, snow skiing. They took the children and grandchildren snow skiing each year, and he made sure that all his grandchildren had lessons so that they could join in the fun with him.

Jack enjoyed the outdoors and lived life to the fullest. He worked cattle at his ranch along with hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons. No hog was safe in Robertson County when he had his rifle close at hand. He was also a devoted family man and often said that what made all the things he did so fun was that he could do them with his family close by his side. His love for Jesus was evident in the way he lived and in his business dealings with many people in the community over the years. He was a true patriarch.

Jack was preceded in death by his brother Lee, his father John, and his granddaughter Melody.

He is survived by his wife Sharon of Bryan; three children, Barry and wife Mary of Round Rock, Randy and wife Tammy of Blackjack, daughter, Shannon and husband John of Bryan; seven grandchildren, Marissa, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Benjamin, Michael, Amanda, and Hannah; and one great-grandchild, Grayson. His 97-year old mother, Marguerite, currently lives in Brady, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: SOS Ministries (Save our Streets) P.O. Box 2866, Bryan, TX 77805.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Bryan on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Graveside will follow at Rest Ever Cemetery in Bryan. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday evening, October 17, 2014 from 6 to 8PM.