January 31,1938-July18, 2024

John H. "Jack" Messick, beloved husband of Rosalie (Arnie) Messick, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 after a brief illness. He was the loving father of four sons, J. Stuart, Scott, Chris, and Jason, and father- in-law to their spouses Kim, Ali, Caroline, and Natilie. He was also a devoted grandfather to Bailey, Maddy, and Ally; Andrew, Joshua and Nathan; and Julian and Clarissa, and great grandfather to Thomas. In addition, Jack is survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and former students and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his sister Annalee.
Jack was born in Salisbury, Maryland to Harold McKnett and Alice Melissa (Harrington) Messick. During his youth he spent several summers on the Choptank River light, where his father was keeper. Jack received his Commission in the Marine Corps at his graduation from Salisbury Teachers College class of 1960, and married Rosalie Arnie of Preston, Maryland in December of that year.
He left the Corps after three years to teach at North Caroline High School but returned in 1966 as a Captain and served in the Vietnam war. Jack took part in Operation Homecoming in 1973, which brought home nearly 600 POWs from North Vietnam, including the late Senator John McCain. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Lt. Colonel in 1982.
Newly titled Mr. Jack Messick taught 5th grade at Hurlock Elementary and civics at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School before moving to the Dorchester County Board of Education ultimately becoming their first IT Manager.
Jack was an avid reader and enjoyed a wide variety of interests throughout his life, including - but definitely not limited to - fly fishing, photography, classical music, cooking, woodworking, and drawing and painting. Toward the end of his life, he became an especially prolific artist, posting his work on the internet, giving it away to anyone who asked, and donating pieces to be sold to benefit his church, St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Seaford, where he was an active member and bible study leader.
Jack will be laid to rest at Beulah veterans cemetery outside of Hurlock during a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Luke's, 202 N North St., Seaford DE 19973 or Maryland Food Bank, 22000 Halethorpe Farms Rd., Baltimore, MD 21227.
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