“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Jack Dinnel finished his race on Saturday, February 3, 2018 surrounded by family members at Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, Wyoming.
Jack was born in Superior, Nebraska, on Thursday, January 27, 1927, the second son of Harry and Hilma (Holtz) Dinnel. He spent his early years in Hastings, before moving to Marysville, Kansas, where he graduated from high school in 1945. He joined the United States Army and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas, for basic training and then on to Germany with the Army of Occupation, where he served as a medic. While in Germany, he was selected to compete as part of a 40-man team in the GI Olympics where he placed 4th in the javelin at the Berlin Track Meet in the same stadium where Jesse Owens had been spurned by Hitler ten years earlier.
Upon returning to the USA after being discharged, Jack attended Chadron State College where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts. Jack and Lorna met during this time, became engaged, and were married prior to him finishing his Master’s Degree at the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, Colorado. He then began his thirty-five year teaching career at Wheatland High School in December, 1952. During his time at WHS, he enjoyed coaching athletes in football, basketball, and track.
Jack and Lorna have actively served in The Gideon’s International since 1972. The Gideon organization began in 1908 as a band of Christian businessmen placing Bibles in hotel rooms and has evolved into an expanding mission to provide Scriptures to all people in nearly every facet of life.
After his retirement, Jack and Lorna participated for several years with an organization called SOWERS (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready) volunteering their labors of love serving Christian organizations around the United States.
Jack’s lifelong passion for competing in track and field events found an outlet as he began participating in the Senior Olympics. He consistently brought home the GOLD in Colorado and Wyoming, and even twice qualified and participated in the National Senior Olympics, once in Palo Alto at Stanford University, and again in Cincinnati.
Jack is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Lorna; three daughters, Jana Martin (Jim, and their children Joshua, Hannah, Amity and LeaAnn), Diane Bell (Randy, and their children Brad and Lyndsi), and Jacki Mattingly (John, and their children Beatriz, Jesse and Alicia); also the great-grandfather of nine children.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Dinnel; mother, Hilma; and brother, Harry.
Visitation was held at the funeral home on Monday, February 5, 2018 and the celebration of life services was held at Wheatland Bible Church where Jack and Lorna were founding members.
Memorial contributions may be given to The Gideon’s International, at www.gideons.org or PO Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee 37214-0800. Free Gideon memorial cards are also available at Wheatland Bible Church.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland was in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
