Jack L. Roehr, 81, died Tuesday, December 4, 2012 in Weslaco, Texas. He was born June 12, 1931 in Waterloo, Iowa, to Donald and Allene (Donner) Roehr. He received his high school diploma while serving in the US Navy as Seaman 1st Class from 1948 to 1950.

In 1948, he married Gladyce Untiedt; they were later divorced. On August 16, 1983, Jack married Mary Eischeid in Waterloo.

Besides his many political and community contributions to the Cedar Valley, Jack had also been Boy Scout Master of Troop 116 and while working at John Deere for almost 40 years he was Local Union 838 divisional steward, committeeman and chairman as well as serving on the Skilled Trades Advisory Board. Jack was past president of Optimist Club of Waterloo and Waterloo Tech Society; past board member of Adults, Inc.; Waterloo Sertoma Club; Eagles Club; Silos and Smokestacks; Waterloo Community Schools Red Apple Club; Waterloo Sister City Assoc. and Weslaco Elks Club.

In 1991 Jack and Mary became winter Texans, moving permanently to Weslaco in 2002 where he was known as “Sparky” or the “John Deere Mowing Ranger.” Jack continued his giving lifestyle-volunteering in programs to help the needy with food and clothing. He and Mary were members of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco.

Besides his wife Mary Roehr of Weslaco, Jack is survived by his daughter Sherrie (Tom) Moore, of Waterloo; son Jack L. Roehr, Jr. of Waterloo; daughter Shellie (Sam Sablan) Atkins of Waterloo; stepdaughter Roxanne (Bill) Garretson of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; stepson Marcus (Carol) Eischeid of Sycamore, Illinois; stepson Jon Eischeid of Longmont, Colorado; stepdaughter Kate (David) Zeltinger of Glenburn, North Dakota; stepson Greg (Cynthia) Eischeid of Hingham, Massachusetts; sister Joann (Jerry) Rogers of Harlingen, Texas; sister Janice (Tom) Schmitt of Waterloo; 8 grandchildren: Heather, Eric, Amanda, Amy, David, Samantha, Hannah and Aaron; and 5 great grandchildren: McKenzie, Mason, Taylor, Elias and Hayden Jack.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son Steven Roehr.