Jackie Noel Rubottom rose with the sun on July 18, 1945. He was a proud member of the US Navy, serving during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Malala; the proud father of 2 children, Jack Rubottom Jr and Debra Van Wagner, and when he married his forever love, Earline in September of 1980, he willingly became the proud dad to 4 additional children: Kay Miller, Bob Kitchin, Curtis Kitchin and Teresa Smith. During his time on this Earth, he lived fully and loved fiercely. A devoted husband, friend and Papaw he filled this life with light and love before finding his final sunset and joining his mother, brother and Jack Jr again on November 15, 2018. He leaves behind to carry his memory, his wife Earline, his daughter Debra Van Wagner, all of his step-children and their spouses, multiple grand, great grand and great great grandchildren and numerous friends.
Jack will be missed. He was so good to Betty Weaver and I taking us to night events at the Legion . He never knew a stranger!
Jack loved my mother. That’s too simple. In this “me” generation replete with commitment phobes, Jack was the antithesis of that. His faithfulness in all that involved her astounded me. He said “I do,” and then he did- and did and did and kept doing until he had no breath left to do with. In matters great and small he attended to faithfulness. My heart is broken at this loss and more so for his love, my mother, who must find her way without him to guide. I know, though, that the loving arms of Jesus hold her now as they hold Jack and that His loving hand will rest upon her shoulder as it now rests upon Jack’s. I imagine him talking Sun Devils with Jesus. I am so deeply grieved that there wasn’t more time! Where did it go? It has always been “Mom- n-Jack,” and it’s hard to think of him not here. He has been a part of my reality for almost four decades. He will never be forgotten. You cannot be forgotten Jack, because you are in our hearts and will live on in there. Thank you for being the very definition of commitment, which means to leave out the possibility that there ARE other possibilities. With honor you executed that commitment, and in so doing said “Nothing will harm your mother on my watch.” Wow, what character. Thank you. Character, integrity, commitment, faithfulness. Would that we all strive for what you acheived. We were not your children, but you loved us and touched us all in ways we cannot fathom. I love you, Jack, and I will miss you for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone for lifting my mother up. That’s what Jack would do.
The best father in law will be missed!!!
Jack will be missed. He was so good to Betty Weaver and I taking us to night events at the Legion . He never knew a stranger!
Jack loved my mother. That’s too simple. In this “me” generation replete with commitment phobes, Jack was the antithesis of that. His faithfulness in all that involved her astounded me. He said “I do,” and then he did- and did and did and kept doing until he had no breath left to do with. In matters great and small he attended to faithfulness. My heart is broken at this loss and more so for his love, my mother, who must find her way without him to guide. I know, though, that the loving arms of Jesus hold her now as they hold Jack and that His loving hand will rest upon her shoulder as it now rests upon Jack’s. I imagine him talking Sun Devils with Jesus. I am so deeply grieved that there wasn’t more time! Where did it go? It has always been “Mom- n-Jack,” and it’s hard to think of him not here. He has been a part of my reality for almost four decades. He will never be forgotten. You cannot be forgotten Jack, because you are in our hearts and will live on in there. Thank you for being the very definition of commitment, which means to leave out the possibility that there ARE other possibilities. With honor you executed that commitment, and in so doing said “Nothing will harm your mother on my watch.” Wow, what character. Thank you. Character, integrity, commitment, faithfulness. Would that we all strive for what you acheived. We were not your children, but you loved us and touched us all in ways we cannot fathom. I love you, Jack, and I will miss you for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone for lifting my mother up. That’s what Jack would do.
The best father in law will be missed!!!