In Memory Of
A.R. (Jack) Way
1926
2024
A.R. (Jack) Way
October 16, 1926 — March 20, 2024
Jack Way, 97, recently residing in Overland Park, Kansas after living most of his life in Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully from natural causes March 20, 2024.
Born October 16, 1926, Jack was the son of Austin Earl Way and Mabel Melinda (Schultz) Way. He was the youngest of six children (brothers: Wendell, Sheldon, Marvin, and sisters: Leona Bell and Thelma). Jack's family originally lived in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, where he was born, but moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, and Wichita, Kansas later when Jack was in high school.
It was during that final move to Wichita while working in a grocery warehouse over the summer that his supervisor, having difficulty remembering the name, "Austin", asked if he could call him by the name of the boy previously holding the position, The name stuck when he started school that fall and he was "Jack" from then on.
It was at that same high school that Jack was inspired during a school assembly through a presentation by a Navy Airman. His white dress uniform and wings-of-gold inspired Jack to pursue one of his proudest achievements. Jack enlisted in the Navy and after three years attained his dream of becoming a carrier pilot, flying Corsairs, Helldivers and the A-10 Skyraider. In 1950 Jack was released from active service and eventually pursued a degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University.
It was during Navy flight training in Ottumwa, Iowa that Jack met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) Kalec at a USO dance. They were married Jack's freshman year and after graduation, moved to Lincoln, Nebraska -- geographically equally distant from Wichita and Ottumwa where their respective families still lived.
In Lincoln, Jack and Betty raised two boys, Todd and Radd Way. Todd Jamison Way (married to Denise Rinne Way) now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina close by their three adult children and five grandchildren. Radd Christopher Way (married to Gini Walters Way), lives in Overland Park, Kansas near their four adult children and seven grandchildren.
A major feature of Jack's sixty-five years in Lincoln was his involvement with and eventual leadership as President of Concrete Industries with operations all across Eastern and Middle Nebraska. Today the gold and black CI, GS, RK, RM, and WS logos he designed representing the different product lines and divisions of the company, can still be seen on the white trucks of the organization carrying concrete-related construction materials.
Fiercely loyal to family and friends, Jack will be remembered fondly as the wielder of the purple pen (Kansas State school colors, "Every Man A Wildcat!"), a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, ukulele and guitar aficionado, a founding deacon at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, founding coach of the Ready Mixed Concrete team for the Lincoln Salvation Army's Little Frye Program, the designer and builder of the "all-concrete house" at 5821 Prescott that received national recognition, ocean sailing and lake sailboat racing enthusiast, an avid pool player, organizer of the Wii Bowling league at Lincoln's Grand Lodge and prolific Diamond Painter at Colonial Village in Overland Park. He was a great friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Jack's signature sign-off says it all: "IBL" (It's Been Lovely).
A private memorial service with only family invited will be held in Overland Park.
In lieu of flowers, a check can be made out and sent to:
International Missions
Mercy Church
7200 Providence Rd
Charlotte, NC. 28226
This is the church that Jack supported where his grandson-in-law serves as Pastor of Sending.
To leave a message of condolence for Jack's family or to share a special memory of him, please visit the guestbook below.
Born October 16, 1926, Jack was the son of Austin Earl Way and Mabel Melinda (Schultz) Way. He was the youngest of six children (brothers: Wendell, Sheldon, Marvin, and sisters: Leona Bell and Thelma). Jack's family originally lived in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, where he was born, but moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, and Wichita, Kansas later when Jack was in high school.
It was during that final move to Wichita while working in a grocery warehouse over the summer that his supervisor, having difficulty remembering the name, "Austin", asked if he could call him by the name of the boy previously holding the position, The name stuck when he started school that fall and he was "Jack" from then on.
It was at that same high school that Jack was inspired during a school assembly through a presentation by a Navy Airman. His white dress uniform and wings-of-gold inspired Jack to pursue one of his proudest achievements. Jack enlisted in the Navy and after three years attained his dream of becoming a carrier pilot, flying Corsairs, Helldivers and the A-10 Skyraider. In 1950 Jack was released from active service and eventually pursued a degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University.
It was during Navy flight training in Ottumwa, Iowa that Jack met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) Kalec at a USO dance. They were married Jack's freshman year and after graduation, moved to Lincoln, Nebraska -- geographically equally distant from Wichita and Ottumwa where their respective families still lived.
In Lincoln, Jack and Betty raised two boys, Todd and Radd Way. Todd Jamison Way (married to Denise Rinne Way) now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina close by their three adult children and five grandchildren. Radd Christopher Way (married to Gini Walters Way), lives in Overland Park, Kansas near their four adult children and seven grandchildren.
A major feature of Jack's sixty-five years in Lincoln was his involvement with and eventual leadership as President of Concrete Industries with operations all across Eastern and Middle Nebraska. Today the gold and black CI, GS, RK, RM, and WS logos he designed representing the different product lines and divisions of the company, can still be seen on the white trucks of the organization carrying concrete-related construction materials.
Fiercely loyal to family and friends, Jack will be remembered fondly as the wielder of the purple pen (Kansas State school colors, "Every Man A Wildcat!"), a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, ukulele and guitar aficionado, a founding deacon at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, founding coach of the Ready Mixed Concrete team for the Lincoln Salvation Army's Little Frye Program, the designer and builder of the "all-concrete house" at 5821 Prescott that received national recognition, ocean sailing and lake sailboat racing enthusiast, an avid pool player, organizer of the Wii Bowling league at Lincoln's Grand Lodge and prolific Diamond Painter at Colonial Village in Overland Park. He was a great friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Jack's signature sign-off says it all: "IBL" (It's Been Lovely).
A private memorial service with only family invited will be held in Overland Park.
In lieu of flowers, a check can be made out and sent to:
International Missions
Mercy Church
7200 Providence Rd
Charlotte, NC. 28226
This is the church that Jack supported where his grandson-in-law serves as Pastor of Sending.
To leave a message of condolence for Jack's family or to share a special memory of him, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of A.R. (Jack) Way, please visit our flower store.
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