Jack Elmer Fairchild went to his Father’s house on March 12, 2024. He was 95 years old.

Jack was a US Navy veteran.

He flew nearly 90 combat missions in the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Air Medals.

After his military service, Jack met his wife, Marie and they were happily married for 65 years.

Jack obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering at UT, a Master’s Degree at USC, and a PhD at OU. He was a Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Texas Arlington where he was a founding member of the department and taught for 25 years.

Jack retired to Martindale, Texas and his beloved San Marcos River. He loved tennis, golfing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and listening to the rapids. Jack volunteered with the San Marcos River Foundation and was awarded the Lifetime Guardian of the River Award in 2012. He served as a Board member for the Texas River Protection Association, became a Knight of the Third order of the Knights of Columbus at St Mary’s in Lockhart, and held many positions in the Lion’s Club.

When not volunteering, Jack could often be found at the airport working on his Vari-Eze airplane or flying his Grumman Traveler “Tweety Bird”.

Jack is survived by his 7 children, Joanne Horrell, Mary Pat Samuels, Elizabeth Lem, Jill Fairchild, John Fairchild, Mark Fairchild, and Janet Beckley, as well as 17 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marie Braun Fairchild, brother, William (Bill) Fairchild, and parents Harold Lewis Fairchild and Margarete Carleston Fairchild.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary of the Visitation, 205 West Pecan Street, Lockhart, Texas.

In lieu flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Lions Camp, In Memory of , P O BOX 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029 or online @ lionscamp. com.