Obituary
With a sad heart we announce the passing of Jack Sammons. He left this world peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning, August 30th.
Jack was a caring, intelligent and thoughtful gentleman, but an even more devoted husband and loving father. He is survived by his beautiful wife Joanie, and their three daughters, Jody, Jenny and Jacque. Jack will also be dearly missed by his two Beaufort, South Carolina brothers, Bill and Jimmy and their loving wives Kathy and Lynn. In addition, Jack was a father-in-law to Chris Crawford and Ken Lower and loving grandfather of four grandchildren, Jack, Autumn, Rylee and Jules. A family filled with affection branching from the constant love and thoughtfulness in Jack's heart.
Jack grew up in Beaufort with his two younger brothers and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering. He moved to South Florida for work and married Joanie... a lasting marriage of over 60 years. Jack worked for Pratt Whitney as an engineer for over 30 years and was instrumental in designing the compressor section of what would later become the SR 71 “ Blackbird” Spy plane. He was also involved with the development of the F15, F16, and ultimately the F22 and F36 fighter jets. Jack also spent many years enjoying racing Hobie Cats with Joanie and his three daughters. During those years he wrote one of the most definitive books on Hobie Cat racing, selling over 48,000 copies. His professional career and sailing adventures took him and Joanie all over the world from the South Pacific to Japan, Europe and the Middle East. He had a particular love for Hawaii where he spent part of his early childhood. With a beautiful home he designed and built in the true Florida wild, Jack became an expert at growing many tropical plants, including orchids, frangipani and Hawaiian Ti Leaves influenced by all his travels.
During retirement Jack enjoyed spending time paddling surf skis, sailing, cultivating plants and living a true tropical life in Palm Beach County.
Please send your memories and tributes to Joanie and their daughters. They are Jack's everything and would love to reminisce over the wonderful life Jack Sammons shared with all.