Farewell Coach.   Jack, we love you and miss you!
(Last Updated: 01/25/2011 01:25 AM)

 
 

 

 
 

 

2005 OCMM newsOK TV Interview

Click here to leave a Tribute to our Friend and Coach Jack Rector

 
 

Tributes to Jack Rector from
 

Dr. Tom Coniglione Mark Bravo Thomas Hill, III
   

Video tribute played at Jack's Memorial Service.

(Videos produced by Rick Swyden of Life Time Video Productions.)


Go Jack Go!!!!Jack completed the ultimate race - the Marathon of Life - on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 8:40pm. He crossed the finish line with style. Success in life results from a balance in all areas of life: spiritual, family, physical, emotional, social, and career. Jack’s life exemplifies this balance.

Jack did not let life pass him by... He Explored it, Experienced it, and Lived it! Sir Winston Church Hill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. "  Everyone who met Jack experienced his life of giving, especially when it came to running.   Jack was always willing to give to others - physically (water to the thirsty), mentally (words of encouragement), or spiritually (reminding us to enjoy the beauty of God's creation).

Please keep Sherri and the family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Like all of you, I will miss him. " Go Jack Go! "
Bill Goodier


Jack E. Rector, 83, Oklahoma City, died November 28, 2008, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rector attended high school in Enid, OK, and immediately entered the Air Force in World War II where he flew 40 missions on a B-24 in the South Pacific as an aerial gunner. Following the war, Rector graduated from Oklahoma State University and later completed a Masters Degree in Industrial Management at Oklahoma City University. He was with Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company for thirty years. The last twenty were as Manager of Industrial Development where he successfully assisted locating several manufacturing industries throughout Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. Active in business and civic work, he had been Chairman of the Oklahoma Governor's Industrial Team, District Governor of Toastmasters International, President of Oklahoma City Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Central Oklahoma Chambers of Commerce, President of Oklahoma City Ski Club and President of Oklahoma City Running Club. His first wife, Jo Lou Douglass Rector, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Sherri Rector, Oklahoma City, OK daughter, Lisa Rector Berry, and her husband, Bill, and grandchildren, Josh and Kristal Berry, Bella Vista, AR daughter, Lynn Rector, Oklahoma City, OK and step-sons, Don and Corey Jameson, Oklahoma City, OK. Rector was an avid competitive runner for 48 years and an active promoter of the Oklahoma City Running Club. He and his wife, Sherri, were training coordinators for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons where he was known as an icon of the running community. Because of the number of years encouraging other runners, he was often called a guru of Oklahoma City Running.

There will be a memorial service for our friend and coach, Jack Rector.

Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 1 P.M.
Celebration Center Chapel
Church of the Servant
14343 North MacArthur
OKC, OK
(405) 721-4141


Running with "Style"On the day of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in 2005, Jack E. Rector of Oklahoma City was asked by a reporter from The Oklahoman about the volunteer training program he and his wife Sherri conducted for marathon runners. His response was indicative of his commitment to helping others. "This morning, I always stay until the last runner comes in," he said. "I had people coming up and saying, 'I wouldn't have been able to do this without group training.' That's my reward." Jack Rector died Friday in Oklahoma City. He was 83 years old. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday in the chapel at the Church of the Servant, 14343 N MacArthur Blvd. "The thing about Jack was he lived a life of joy and he wanted to share that with other people," said Thomas Hill, president and co-founder of the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. "One way he did that was by introducing people to running. People loved to run with Jack. He was a great encourager and a fantastic coach."

A love of Running

Rector, a strong supporter of the Oklahoma City Running Club, was a competitive runner for 48 years. He not only ran marathons throughout the United States, but also internationally, including a marathon in Paris. Again, it was the training program that exemplified how much he desired to share his love of running. The build-up training program for runners started in November 2000 in preparation for the inaugural Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in 2001. The first year, Rector received about 30 inquiries via e-mail and had about 12 runners show up at the group runs. In 2004, the number of requests to be included on the e-mail training list was up to 165. As many as 65 runners participated in group runs. However, by 2005, at least 255 e-mail requests came in. The lowest number of runners at a group run was 75. He and Sherri also led training for the 2006 marathon, with about 500 people on the e-mail list and more than 200 people at several of the group runs. The World War II veteran who worked for Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. for 30 years also held numerous positions in business and civic groups. By Bryan Painter NewsOK.com, 12/2/2008


Click here to leave a Tribute to our Friend and Coach Jack Rector

...we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load....
(The Servant Song, by Richard Gillard)

…they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

 
     
     
  Remember what Jack said, "Everyday is a holiday if you're a runner...."