Obituaries : Jack R. Livingston

Jack R. Livingston

Jack R. Livingston, 65, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer. A Celebration of Life service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Salem United Methodist Church, 3715 33rd Ave. SW, in Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. John Louk officiating. His family will receive friends from noon until service time at the church.

Jack was born Aug. 11, 1947, in Monmouth, Ill., to Franklin and Rosalie (Hathaway) Barron. They later divorced and when Jack was nine, he and his siblings were blessed to be adopted by his mother’s husband, John Livingston. Following graduation from Monmouth High School, Jack attended college for three years.

On April 27, 1984, he was united in marriage to Lois Mellor Pedersen. A devoted and loving husband, Jack and Lois enjoyed dancing, camping, traveling and antiquing together, and honored their wedding vows by caring for each other in sickness and in health. Jack also enjoyed fishing and bowling.

Jack was assistant store manager at both Walmart Superstores in Cedar Rapids before his illness. He was a person who sincerely appreciated the store’s employees and was concerned about their personal lives.

Jack is survived by his adoring wife, Lois of Cedar Rapids; his daughter, Heather (Curtis) Smith of Davidson, N.C.; his son, James (Mellissa) Livingston of West Monroe, La.; his stepchildren, Michael (Linda) Pedersen of Bellevue and Susan (Scott) Gardner of Vinton; his grandchildren, Addison and Kayleen Smith and Ciara Livingston; his stepgrandchildren, Katelyn and Nick Gardner, Brad and Emily Pedersen, Rachel Olsen and Cortney Carr; his mother, Rosalie Livingston of Webb City, Mo.; his sister, Mary Geisz of Webb City, Mo.; his brothers, Ben (Linda) Livingston and Larry (Nancy) Livingston, both of Monmouth, Ill., and Frank M. (Mary Lou) Livingston of Jefferson City, Mo.; and his stepmother, Carol Barron of Galesburg, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his dad, John Livingston; his birth father, Franklin Barron; and two infant brothers, James and Leonard Barron.

A man with a deep and abiding faith, Jack never lost his great sense of humor and taught those around him to face life with a gentle spirit and tremendous courage. His loved ones were blessed by their devoted husband, loving father, and adoring grandfather who will be truly missed.

Special thanks to Dr. Leila Kutteh and staff at Hall Perrine Cancer Center, Dr. Richard Pope and Tracie, and to the nurses at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their loving care of Jack.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Salem United Methodist Church and Hospice of Mercy.

Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com