Childhood
Jeff was born in a small town Garrett, Indiana on December 16, 1944.
After their parents divorced, it was him and his Mom Winnie.
Jeff grew up as a happy boy. While his mom was at work, he used to go to his aunt Boo's house after school. She prepared meals for him and Jeff stayed there until his mom picked him up on her way home from work. Summer time, he spent a lot of time paying outside with his friends, riding a bicycle, and swimming in the neighborhood pool.
His last years of school, Jeff attended Orland High School, Indiana. Jeff was a good student and a good athlete. He played football, baseball, and basketball, was a cheerleader. While in high school, after school, he worked packing groceries and stocking goods at the local grocery store to earn some money. After school graduation, Jeff enrolled in the Taylor University in Indiana. He graduated with two majors: Batchelor of Art in Biology and Science in Social Studies. While in college, Jeff met Mary Lou. They married later.
Kalkaska, Michigan
After university graduation, Jeff worked as a teacher of Sciences and Social Sciences at a school in Kalkaska, MI. He also had a lot of memories related to Au Sable Camp, a nature camp for boys and girls, which later became a field for study for biology students from the Taylor University.
Bonn 1972-1978
In 1972, Jeff was hired by the Department of Defense Education Activity. His first assignment was Bonn American High School, Germany. He taught Biology, Computers and Human relations. By then, Erica was two years old and Bryna was born a year later.
Jeff had always remembered Bonn years with warmth and excitement. He made a lot of friends while working there with whom he continued having close friendship until his last days.
Houston 1978-1995
In 1978, the family returned to the U.S., Houston, TX. Jeff got a job as teacher of Science at the Alternative School in the Alief Independent School District.
While working as a teacher, Jeff also worked as a school bus driver. Both Bryna and Erica were involved in a variety of after school activities: payed in band, Erica danced and Bryna loved sports. All those years, their father was their loving and supporting parent, friend, and mentor.
When the girls grew up, Jeff worked on continuing his education and graduated the University of Houston with a Master Degree in Social Work in 1982. After graduation, in 1985, Jeff changed his career and established a small enterprise "Escape to Reality" helping psychiatrical hospitals build ropes course, a type of therapy used for patient rehabilitation. As always, Jeff devoted his life to people: helping, supporting, encouraging, guiding, and persuading. He was skillful and passionate about everything he was involved in.
Overseas again 1995-2018
Turkey 1995-1996
In 1995, Jeff returns to overseas work. For a year, he was employed as a social worker at Incirlik Air base, Turkey. He fell in love with the sunny country, friendly people, and Turkish cuisine and had always dreamed of going back.
South Korea 1996-2002
In 1996, Jeff joined the DoDDS family again. His assignment was Osan High School. He was excited going back to teaching. He taught World Geography, History, AP Biology. He was also a Student Council sponsor.
Ansbach, Germany 2002-2015
Jeff's next overseas assignment was Ansbach High School, Germany. This place had truly become our home. We purchased a house and lived there most of the time we were married.
Jeff's mom
Jeff's mom, Winifred Blossom (Winnie, 1921-2003), was a huge part of his life and he spoke about her often. Jeff was very appreciative of everything Winnie had done for him and Jeff's half-brother David.
Last couple of decades, after her retirement, Winnie lived in Orlando Florida near her son David. She was a wonderful woman and great mother. I remember her as a soft, very kind, loving person.
Jeff and Winnie traveled sometimes together and Jeff visited her in Florida every year.
Jeff's mom, Winifred Blossom, passed away in 2003. It was such a tragedy for the whole family and everybody who knew her. She was an unforgettable person. Winnie was buried in her home land, Indiana.
Jeff's retirement
Jeff retired DoDDS in 2011, but we remained in Germany. I worked for DoDDS and it allowed us to stay in Germany after Jeff's retirement. From 2013-2015, Jeff was employed with AAFES, a short, but memorable experience. So many people will remember his friendly smile at the store entrance.
Adventures
Jeff loved traveling, learning about new places, and meeting new people. He had been in most of the United States and a many places outside the US: Europe, South America, Australia, Asia, Middle East.
His dream was to visit Grand Canyons, Alaska, and Africa one day...
Okinawa 2015-2018
In 2015, I was offered a teaching job in Okinawa. We left Germany and moved to Japan. The apartment we moved in was found by Jeff.
Jeff's passing was sudden and shocking. It is hard to believe that he is gone. He is not there to greet me in the morning and hug in the end of the day. He is not there to call his daughters and say, "Hi, honey, how are you?" He is not there to talk to his grandchildren and ask, "Tell me about what you have learned." He is not there to talk to his friend Jim every day...
There are not enough words to describe all Jeff's qualities and the person he was. He had a bright and interesting life and he is going to remain in hearts of hundreds of people as
- smiling
- curious
- hardworking
- kind
- giving
- loving
- caring
- encouraging
- persistent
- enthusiastic
- intelligent
- friendly
- knowledgeable
- patient
- passionate
- forgiving
- insightful
- generous
- proud
- attentive
- funny...
The Memorial was held on August 12, 2018 in Austin, TX
The notes about Jeff's life were written the way I remember Jeff and other people sharing with me. I also used Jeff's own notes-memories. If some facts are incorrect, please inform.