1923
Mr.
2007
Mr. Jack Sites
June 21, 1923 — February 27, 2007
Jack M. Sites, 83, of Leawood, KS passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2007. He spent some of his final days as a patient at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Kansas City. It is the hospital he served loyally over the past 15 years as a volunteer National Service Officer, helping countless veterans receive the benefits they deserved. He also served as Commander of the Heart of America Chapter of Ex-POW?s and former trustee of the Liberty Memorial. He lived to see the opening of the new WW I museum.
Jack knew what it was like to sacrifice for his country. A veteran of WWII, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, and the Legion of Merit Award. As ball turret gunner, he and his B-24 crewmembers of the 451st Airborne, were shot down over Albania where they were taken prisoners of war. Jack and another crew member received the Legion of Merit Award for taking unusual risks and suffering beatings in their efforts to distract and protect the identity of a fellow crew member who was Jewish. Their efforts worked! As a P.O.W., Jack suffered many extreme hardships, particularly enduring the harsh death march from Poland to Germany in the winter of 1944.
After the war Jack returned to Kansas City, where he and his brothers began buying and selling cars. Forming Sites Brothers Chrysler-Plymouth in the 1950?s, they became known for their creative marketing and volume sales in the five-state area. Jack loved to display cars on a steep hill at their 86th and Troost location. They also sponsored drag racing ?funny cars?, the Missouri Mule and the Scootin? Cuda, and traveling to racing events became a regular weekend hobby.
After retirement, Jack took up another love with a passion ? flying. Moving up the certification ranks, he obtained his certified flight instructor?s rating. To his great pride, one of his first students to become a pilot was his grandson, Jeff. Other family members and friends were treated to a few upside down flights in his open cockpit Ryan PT22 !
Jack loved his family and loved playing practical jokes on his grandsons. He lived to enjoy two children, two grandsons, and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. and Nina M. Sites; his son, Jackie; brothers, Eastin and Blayne. He leaves his devoted wife of over 61 years, Norma; his daughter, Kathy Swift and her husband, Orin; grandsons, Jeff Swift and his wife Robin; Scott Swift and his wife Marcie; great grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, Lauren, Kate Louise, and Caroline; as well as beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 1, 3:30 p.m. at D.W.Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. Visitation for friends and family will precede the service at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mid America Chapter Ex-P.O.W.s or the Disabled American Veterans Fund, in care of the Veterans Administration Hospital, 4801 E. Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128.
The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the care and professional service given by the staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Jack knew what it was like to sacrifice for his country. A veteran of WWII, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, and the Legion of Merit Award. As ball turret gunner, he and his B-24 crewmembers of the 451st Airborne, were shot down over Albania where they were taken prisoners of war. Jack and another crew member received the Legion of Merit Award for taking unusual risks and suffering beatings in their efforts to distract and protect the identity of a fellow crew member who was Jewish. Their efforts worked! As a P.O.W., Jack suffered many extreme hardships, particularly enduring the harsh death march from Poland to Germany in the winter of 1944.
After the war Jack returned to Kansas City, where he and his brothers began buying and selling cars. Forming Sites Brothers Chrysler-Plymouth in the 1950?s, they became known for their creative marketing and volume sales in the five-state area. Jack loved to display cars on a steep hill at their 86th and Troost location. They also sponsored drag racing ?funny cars?, the Missouri Mule and the Scootin? Cuda, and traveling to racing events became a regular weekend hobby.
After retirement, Jack took up another love with a passion ? flying. Moving up the certification ranks, he obtained his certified flight instructor?s rating. To his great pride, one of his first students to become a pilot was his grandson, Jeff. Other family members and friends were treated to a few upside down flights in his open cockpit Ryan PT22 !
Jack loved his family and loved playing practical jokes on his grandsons. He lived to enjoy two children, two grandsons, and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. and Nina M. Sites; his son, Jackie; brothers, Eastin and Blayne. He leaves his devoted wife of over 61 years, Norma; his daughter, Kathy Swift and her husband, Orin; grandsons, Jeff Swift and his wife Robin; Scott Swift and his wife Marcie; great grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, Lauren, Kate Louise, and Caroline; as well as beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 1, 3:30 p.m. at D.W.Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. Visitation for friends and family will precede the service at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mid America Chapter Ex-P.O.W.s or the Disabled American Veterans Fund, in care of the Veterans Administration Hospital, 4801 E. Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128.
The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the care and professional service given by the staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
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