John “Jack” Giles Brockett was born August 17, 1930, and passed from this life into eternity in the early morning hours of May 6, 2024, at the age of 93.
John was born to Harold and Velma Brockett in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The eldest of four children. John was honed into a leader. John attended Christian Brothers High School in Saint Joseph, and spent his youth exploring the hills of the north end. Raised a devout Catholic, John attended St. Mary Catholic Church.
John grew up listening to reports on the movements of American troops in World War II, and knew he wanted to emulate his heroes and serve his country, so he joined the Air Force, before joining the Missouri National Guard. He was stationed throughout Europe, but his favorite was Bordeau, France, where he snuck bottles of wine and blocks of cheese into the theater when his company watched films. He achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and was a Civil Engineer for the 139th Airlift Wing. During this time, John was sent to Casper, Wyoming for training, where he met Kathleen Christopher. He asked her to dance and fell head over heels. Eventually, Kathleen joined him in Saint Joseph, where they married on September 1, 1956. They had three sons together: Mike (Nancy), Kennan (Marla), and John Todd (Tasha). They were dedicated and loving parents and served their community.
John retired from the Air Guard after forty-two years of service. He became a grandfather to Cole, Claire, and Rachel. John was a devoted and loving father and grandfather. He waited every morning with an orange juice in hand for his grandchildren arrive, where they would settle in together and watch the news. A skilled craftsman and engineer, he passed these skills down. He loved his drives and hikes, and would take his boys and his grandchildren, teaching mushroom hunting strategies and locations. He became a great-grandfather to Jonah John last year.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen, and his parents. He is survived by his sons, his grandchildren, his great grandson, and his siblings, Larry (Carol) Brockett, Bob Brockett and Sharon (Bill) Hurley.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 10, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church. Inurnment at Mt. Olivet with Full Military Honors afterwards. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4520 Mitchell Ave., from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, May 10, 2024. The family suggests memorial contributions to Tunnels to Towers. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
