Mr. Jack Spann, age 85, of Oceanside, California passed away February 9, 2005, in California. Jack was born December 14, 1919, in Garza (now Lake Dallas), Texas, the first child of James and Dovie May Spann. He finished the eighth grade in Arkansas, then dropped out of school to help support the family. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in June 1936 and was assigned to a camp at White Rock Lake in Dallas. Many of the stone structures he helped build are still standing in the park surrounding the lake. He entered the US Army on August 4, 1942 and was assigned to the Medical Corps, where he received training as a surgical technician. He deployed overseas on September 7, 1943. He spent the remainder of the war assigned to the 30th Evacuation Hospital, supporting the First Marine Division in New Guinea and The Philippines. He married Leola Layland on October 4, 1942, prior to being sent overseas. His only son, Lawrence, was born while he was serving in New Guinea. Following the war, Jack received his High School Equivalency Certificate and trained as a cabinet maker. He was an accomplished wood worker and created some beautiful pieces. But he found his life’s calling when he went to work for a die casting company in 1950 and became a Tool and Die Maker. Over the years he earned the respect of the entire industry, and became regarded as an expert in Die Casting techniques. He was active in the Society of Die Casting Engineers, serving for two years as Chairman of the South Central Chapter. His final position before his retirement in 1990 was Manager of the Die Casting Division of Eaglemotive Industries in Ft. Worth. Jack is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Suzann Spann of Oceanside; grandchildren, Daniel Spann of Dallas, Texas, Christina Spann of Richmond, Virginia, and Conrad Spann and wife, Susan of Mesquite, Texas; sisters, Ruth Riley of Denton, Texas, Evelyn Garmon and husband, Marion of Proctor, Oklahoma and Marcella Booth of Storrs, Connecticut; and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Darlene Spann of Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2005, in the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends for visitation from 6:00 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.