Jack Sadle

Jack Durwood Sadle, of Syracuse, Nebraska died of cancer on May 14, 2010 at the age of 72.

Jack was born near North Platte, Nebraska on September 8, 1937 to Louis and Drusilla (Hunter) Sadle, and was raised, one of nine children, primarily on a sheep ranch north of Sutherland, Nebraska. He graduated from Sutherland High School in 1955 and joined the Navy, serving more than 20 years and rising to the rank of Seabee Builder Chief.

Jack's remarkable life was one of service to his nation and his fellows. He served nine years in the Pacific theater, one in Cuba and one in Newfoundland, Canada. He also served two tours in Viet Nam receiving the Secretary of Navy award for his humanitarian work with Vietnamese refugees. His second tour he worked as a Black Beret. He trained others and worked in Rhode Island, Virginia, Colorado and Nebraska and was a nationally ranked top recruiter for the Navy.

After retiring from the military Jack earned a double endorsement teaching degree from Chadron State College, and taught ten years at Lyman and Columbus, Nebraska's Scotus Central High School earning many awards and recognition. He later substitute taught at Nemaha Valley High School in Cook, NE. Teaching young people in all areas of his life was key to Jack's model for living. As a teacher, Jack's many achievements were recognized not only with numerous awards and recognition, but also with the fond esteem and respect of his students.

Central to his life was more than 30 years of sobriety supported by hundreds of friends and family members in recovery. His service in sobriety mentoring was enhanced by his great wisdom and compassion. Also of pivotal importance to Jack was his spirituality and work in his church.

Jack married the love of his life, Amy Ann Brandon of Atlantic, Iowa, on November 21, 1959, after only five dates. They raised five children and fostered many others. Their relationship was founded in love and service, and developed by a shared fervor for learning, travel and community. Jack proudly celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with Amy, the children, family and friends the year before his death.

Jack and Amy were parents of Nora (Sadle) Tallmon, Jacqueline (Sadle) Andrews, Louis Sadle, Hunter Sadle and Jennifer (Sadle) Szatko. Jack is survived by his wife, all of his children, and his son and daughter-in-laws, Jay Tallmon, Steve Andrews, Michelle (Heritage) Sadle, Sheri (Oliver) Sadle and Lars Szatko. He is also survived by all of his thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and his sisters Joyce (Sadle) McKenzie and Drusilla (Sadle) Mattson and a large, diverse extended family who greatly mourn the loss of this significant and fine man.

Services will be held at St. Paulinus Catholic Churchý at 863 5th Street, in Syracuse, NE on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010 at 1 pm. A celebration of Jack's life will follow in the Syracuse Senior Center at ý303 Railroad Avenue. Please come and share reminisces and photographs with Jack's family and friends. Memorials may be made to the Syracuse Public Library Foundation.