Jack O’Mary

Jack O’Mary, 84, passed aRev. Jack O’Mary, 84, passed from this life Sept. 9, 2014, after a brief illness.

A public viewing visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.

Funeral services are at 2 p.m., Sept. 12 at Kings Chapel, Wasilla, with viewing one hour prior.

Jack was born on Dec. 17, 1929, to David and Lillie O’Mary in Aliceville, Alabama.

A Mississippi native, Rev. O’Mary left home at 14 to work in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he trained with a professional chef. He enlisted in the U.S. Army to defend his county. He served his country with distinction for six years, and fought on the front lines a year in the Korean War. Rev. O’Mary accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in a foxhole in 1950 and accepted the call to ministry in 1952. He was an Ordained minister in the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Rev. O’Mary’s ministry spanned several states, but he left his greatest spiritual legacy in Alaska and Mississippi. He ministered with his brother, Roman, in Alaska from 1954 to 1957, during which time he also helped build a road in McKinley National Park. He evangelized, pastored, and built churches in Mississippi from 1957 to 1973, when he moved to Alaska to pastor the Palmer Highway Church of God, where he served nearly 20 years.

After retiring from the pastorate, Rev. O’Mary’s ministerial calling didn’t end. He traveled from coast to coast, preaching and teaching to hundreds, coaching and mentoring those who will carry on his work in the ministry. A lot of Rev. O’Mary’s ministry occurred outside the church. He built relationships with people who were hurting, who were unchurched, and who were not interested in being preached to. He demonstrated the love of Christ to people who loved being around him because of his wisdom, sense of humor, story telling, and acceptance.

Survivors include his daughters, Debbie Giffen and Bev Jorgensen; brother, Tommy O’Mary; grandchildren, Michelle Watters, Greg Jorgensen, Shannon Grimes; and great grandchildren, Tayler and Tristan Watters, Justin, Aaron, and Zachary.

Arrangements were by Alaska Cook Inlet Funeral Services.