Clarence Austell "Jack" Dempsey Jr.
Edwardsville |
Clarence Austell “Jack” Dempsey Jr., 83, of Edwardsville, Illinois passed away at 9:11 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Evelyn’s House in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He was born December 24, 1934 in Jackson, Mississippi, a son of the late Clarence Austell and Emma Ellen (Byrum) Dempsey Jr. He married Donna (Hooker) Dempsey on February 19, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada and she survives.
Since 1955, he was an owner and operator of Dempsey Adams Auto Body and Granite City Glass and Fence Company. Jack had served the United States for six years with the Missouri Army National Guard. He was a dedicated member of Masonic Triple Lodge #835 in Granite City and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois where he had served as a Most Wise Master, Commander in Chief, President of the Board and had received 33rd Degree from the Scottish Rite Supreme Council. Also, a member of Ainad Shriner’s, serving 14 years as a Line Officer and his last year as Potentate for Southern Illinois and served nine years as an officer and board member of Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
He also was a member of York Rite serving the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Most Sovereign of Saint Edward and Conclave of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. He served as a Patron of New Hope Chapter of Eastern Star, Dad of Granite City Chapter of Demolay, White Cross of Honor, Royal Order of Jesters, member of Kentucky Colonels, member of Hospice Board in Granite City, President of Granite City Chamber of Commerce, member of Granite City Rotary with 23 years of perfect attendance, member of Solid Granite, Treasurer of TriCity Shrine Club, member of St. Louis Area CarStar and member of St. Louis Auto Leasing Association.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Rob Waymire of Edwardsville; a son, Jack Allen Dempsey of St. Louis; eight grandchildren and spouses, Ethan Waymire, Braden Waymire, Brandon and Adrian Dempsey and Jenna and Doug Mayo, Colleen Dempsey, Kyle Dempsey, Gwendolyn Dempsey and Garrett Dempsey; six great grandchildren; other extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Johnny Brown, Alma Hindman, Ray Brown, Charles Brown and Tommy Brown.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until time of Masonic service at 6:45 p.m. followed by Jester’s service at 7:13 p.m. with Celebration of his life at 7:30 p.m. with longtime friend, Irv Slate officiating. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home
