Former Henryetta educator John Albert Girdner was born Feb. 16, 1936, in Park Hill, to Steve and Maude (Jones) Girdner. He died May 8, 2015, in Tulsa.
He grew up in Park Hill, attending Owen Elementary School, Tahlequah High School and Northeastern State College. Jack met Lillie Tarkington in 1954, while working in a grocery store and they married on August 28, 1954. They had shared 51 years of marriage at the time of Lillie's passing on June 26, 2006. After the loss of his wife, Jack met Marilyn Workman in November of 2006. On November 11, 2007, they were married. Marilyn brought two children into this union, Ricky and Amanda.
Jack held various jobs in his earlier years, working in a grocery store, lumber yard, carpenter's apprentice to carpenter, a high school educator at Henryetta and Tahlequah, coaching wrestling and football at Tahlequah. Jack also started and ran Girdner Construction from 1978 to 1999 turning the company over to his son Bob. From 1999 to the present he was the owner and manager of Woodhaven Apartments.
In his lifetime he was active in several churches, attending Park Hill Presbyterian Church as a youth he was baptized there in 1948. He was a member of Henryetta First Baptist Church from 1963-1966. Jack held several positions while attending Tahlequah First Church he was the Junior High Youth Sponsor, was on the Board of Deacons and spent two terms as an Elder.
Jack was active in many organizations including the Lions Club in Henryetta, OEA and Cherokee County Education Association serving as President of the County Unit for a year, the Tahlequah Classroom Teachers Association, Oklahoma Vocational Association, National Association of Technical & Industrial Teachers, Pres. 1 year, Tahlequah City Council from 1985 to 1989, Tahlequah Hospital Board of Trustee's from 1981 - 1985 and again in 1989 to 1992.
Jack is predeceased by his parents; sister, Pauline Girdner; brother, Tom Girdner; and first wife Lillie.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of the home; daughter Beth Nichols, and husband Mike ; two sons, Mike Girdner and his wife Karen, and Bob Girdner and his wife Judy; his grandchildren, Jessica and husband James Macher, Clay, Paige, Danielle and husband Kenny Comer, Stephanie and Marisa; five step grandchildren; and one great grandson, Bryson.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 11, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in Tahlequah. Interment was in the Ross Cemetery, Park Hill under the care of Green Country Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Mark Manship, Todd Mutzig, Veraman Davis, Dick Turnbull, Dave Kronkhite, and Al Herrin. Honorary pallbearers are Arlie Manship, Phil Baker, Jim Chappell, George Morgan, Jack Miller and Al Mutzig.