Jack Emery

Jack Edward Emery, 85 of Carmi, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. at Phoenix Rehabilitation and Nursing in Carmi. He was born on August 30, 1928 in Carmi, the son of Arvil and Alliebelle (Brewer) Emery. Jack married Virginia Lee Large on Setember 23, 1948 and she survives.

He served as a surgical tech in the Army from February 12, 1946 through August 11, 1947 and served with the Raleigh General Hospital in Springfield, MO. Jack worked in wards assisting the medical officers in treating patients, worked in the operation room of a hospital keeping all instruments clean, gave hypodermic injections to patients, and treated minor ailments.

He joined the Marines on January 19, 1948 and served for four years. Jack was a boxing champion, a sharp shooter, and utility man. He served two trips overseas. Jack received a special honor and received two plaques of appreciation for heroic acts when he rescued six people from the Little Wabash River in July of 1987 and May of 1986. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers honored the journeyman lineman in November 1990 at a special awards ceremony at the IBEW local in West Frankfort. Jack was the only member to be presented with two plaques for his rescues.

In his years in Carmi, Jack has rescued ten people from the river and helped in other recovery efforts as well. He was a commercial fisherman and was a lineman for construction for IBEW for over 40 years.

Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia of Carmi; two daughters and sons-in-law, Regina Lee (Don) Hoos of Maricopa, AZ and Mary Bethany (Wayne) Murray of Carmi, three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jack Allan (Helen) Emery of Carmi, Gregory Scott (Wanda) Emery of Galatia, and Eddie Emery of Carbondale; a brother, John Emery of Carmi; a sister, Lola Cozart of Evansville, IN; 11 grandchildren, Michelle, Patricia, Steffany, David, Jessica, Joshua, Chris, Mathew, Lorena, Scott Allen, and Jordan, and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Emery; and two grandchildren, Michael David and Gregory D..

Funeral Services for Jack Edward Emery, 85 of Carmi, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday February 23, 2014 at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi with Steve McClure officiating. Burial will follow at Shrewsbury Cemetery in Mill Shoals with Military Rites by Carmi VFW and American Legion. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. Memorial Contributions may be made in Jack's memory to VNA Tip Hospice or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home.