John "Jack" Edward Dick

John “Jack” Edward Dick, 97, of Leawood, KS, died peacefully at his residence on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. Born to Iva and Dewey Dick in Kansas City, MO, as the Great Depression started, he learned many hard lessons very young and promised himself before he turned 10 that his own family would never endure the same hardships. He was determined to do things his way, his most important lesson being that no one can take something away from you if you own it. A self-made man, he used that resolve to build an incredible life for his family.

Jack attended Blenheim Elementary School, convincing his daughters for many years that it was renamed “Jack Blenheim” in his honor after he scaled the flagpole. This tale often accompanied stories about taking flight across the backyard by flapping his ears and a bald spot of dubious origin, among others. He was full of shenanigans like that, so his mom happily signed off on his early enlistment at the age of 17 when he graduated from Southeast High School. Jack served in the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division in the South Pacific as part of the occupation force following World War II and in Korea along the newly established 38th Parallel. He saw much and spoke little about it, but once shared a story with his adult daughters about his time in Korea that is worthy of a Tom Clancy novel. He may never be honored for it, but the man was a true hero to those who knew.

Following his honorable discharge in 1948, Jack used his G.I. Bill to obtain a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg where a beautiful young lady caught his eye. Thinking she was out of his league and too shy to do more than admire her from afar on campus, he was delighted to cross paths with her again after graduation thanks to mutual friends. She was a hostess for TWA by then, so he started booking his business trips on her flights and finally asked her out on a date at 20,000 feet.

Jack and the love of his life, Cordelia “Corky” Fox, married in 1953 and remained together until she passed in 2017. Corky (who Jack often described as one of God’s better creations) retired a few years into their marriage to focus on raising their two daughters, while Jack worked his way up in sales in the heavy construction industry. He ultimately co-founded a company that manufactured hydraulic equipment for the industrial and construction industries, achieving world-wide distribution of their products as Vice President of Marketing & Sales. Jack’s success allowed him to sell his interest in the company when he was only 52, after which he became a self-taught financial wizard who was recognized nationally for his financial plans for the preservation of assets in retirement and was profiled in The Kansas City Star.

Jack may have retired early, but he did not slow down. For many years, he advised several individuals and companies needing assistance with financial and operating plans, served on the Board of Directors for the Brunson Instrument Company, and was appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission in the City of Fairway, KS, where he and his family lived for more than 30 years. He also volunteered for Ozanam (now Cornerstones of Care) and other organizations devoted to helping children and in the service ministries at both the Village Presbyterian Church and Church of the Resurrection.

When he wasn’t helping others, Jack stayed in contact with his lifelong friends dating back to grade school and traveled around most of the world with Corky for almost 30 years. He spent many hours on his backyard tennis court, challenging all and usually winning, and he played competitive tennis into his 80s, often against 60-year-olds when matched by skill. He was a passionate sports fan with extra enthusiasm for his favorite tennis players, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas Jayhawks, and he enjoyed tending to his crystal-clear pool and manicured lawn, fishing, and driving his 1929 Model A, especially with his grandsons.

Time with his family was Jack’s greatest joy. He took an active role in raising his daughters with Corky, dutifully performing his magic potion dance around the Neosporin with every boo boo, giving voice to ordinary household objects, and encouraging his daughters' independence while staying famously and fiercely protective of them. Legend has it that he once appeared at a fraternity party in his robe and red slippers because his youngest missed curfew, and until the day he passed, both daughters knew they were expected to make the “made it home safely” call within the allotted time after leaving his house. He had an abundance of love for all three of “his girls” and was beloved for his much-anticipated annual birthday calls to family, a huge production that included a series of vocal warmups and the impersonation of various well-known singers over the years. His sweet tooth rivaled that of any child.

Jack lived an incredibly full life with few regrets, and he did it his way just as he planned. His love, support, and sense of humor will be dearly missed, but his lessons live on through his daughters Melissa (Dave) Bennett, DeSoto, KS, and Melanie McMullen (Scott Abbott), Shawnee, KS, former son-in-law Keith (Kelly) McMullen, Holt, MO, five grandsons, and three great-grandsons, as well as numerous other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Corky, sister Barbara Seiglar, and brother J. Richard Dick.

The family will celebrate Jack’s long and happy life privately with extended family and close friends following his interment together with Corky in the Memorial Garden at the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS, and requests that those who wish to honor him make a memorial donation by mail to Cornerstones of Care, Attn: Development, 8150 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114 or online at https://www.cornerstonesofcare.org/donate/.