Obituary for JACK ARNOLD PULLIAM Sr.

Jack A. Pulliam, Sr., 75, died Wednesday, July 21, 2010 after a long illness. He was born December 22, 1934 to Jasper and Helen Pulliam of Muscatine, Iowa. After graduating high school and Muscatine Junior College, he served in the US Army as a Military Policeman in Juneau, Alaska. When he reported to Des Moines to await induction, he met Colleen Turner, who would become the love of his life. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he and Colleen were married on September 21, 1957. He worked for the United States Post office as a carrier and supervisor for 34 years, but always worked extra jobs, most notably as an umpire, ejecting generations of Des Moines area recreational softball players, often with justification. Jack loved sports of all kinds, and was an avid fan of the Hawkeyes, the Bears, and the Dodgers (the Bums). But watching his children and grandchildren compete was his greatest joy. He was a gifted singer, and shared that gift at Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church, where he was a member for over fifty years. Over his life he served in numerous capacities there, including many years as a session member and elder. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Joyce. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Colleen; a sister, Jane Norwood and her husband, Charlie; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Cross; his four children: Jack Jr. (Sue); Gerald (Jan); Kimberly Wilhelm (John); and David (Brooke); his grandchildren: Cindy McMullen (James); Hillary; Emily Camps (Jeff); Joel; Taylor; Laney; and Nicholas; one great-grandchild, Josie; nieces Lori Cross; Pam Johnson (Ric); Debra Pratt (Bill) Teri Cross; Melinda Norwood; Marchelle Norwood; and a nephew, Jason Norwood; and other extended family. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Visitation will be Sunday, July 25th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Jack’s family would like to extend our thanks to the staff at Mercy Hospital and its dialysis unit; special thanks to Dr. Smith and Dr. Jagarlapudi, whose excellent care is exceeded only by their compassion. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for donations to a charity of the family’s choice.