Linley Lee Jacks' Obituary
Linley Lee Jacks, 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, August 2, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the love of his family.
Linley was born and raised in Bixby, Oklahoma, where he developed the strong work ethic and values that would define his life. He attended Pershing Elementary School and Bell Junior High before graduating from Bixby High School in 1961. Even as a young man, Linley demonstrated remarkable determination and industriousness. After losing his beloved mother when he was just 10 years old, he took on various jobs to help support himself, including picking pecans, working at Bell's Amusement Park during summers, maintaining a paper route, and detailing cars for Ramsey Chevrolet and Young's Filling Station. His love for automobiles began early and would remain a lifelong passion.
It was after church one Sunday, while walking through town, that Linley first caught the eye of Donna, who boldly told her friend she was going to date "that handsome man in the car." Their courtship blossomed into a loving marriage that would span decades. In fact, the couple just celebrated their 62nd anniversary Together, they shared a passion for fine automobiles, owning Corvettes for all of his life.
Linley pursued higher education at Oklahoma State University, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering. His technical expertise and natural social abilities made him highly sought after in the technology industry. He began his distinguished career with Texas Instruments, where he took particular pride in working as a team developing infrared radar technology. His career later took him to IBM and eventually to Amdahl, where he rose through the ranks from district manager to regional director.
Throughout his career, Linley's work took him and his family to numerous cities including Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Atlanta, Orlando, and Denver. Despite the frequent relocations, he always maintained his Oklahoma roots and values. After retiring from the corporate world, he returned to his entrepreneurial spirit by working alongside his son Kevin at Bixby Auto Sales.
In 2013, Linley and Donna fulfilled a longtime dream by moving to Afton on Grand Lake, where he could indulge his other great passion-fishing. Whether casting for bass on Grand Lake, crappie fishing, or trying his luck with sand bass, Linley was happiest with a rod in his hand and the water before him. He had previously spent countless hours at Fort Gibson Lake, where he and Donna spent weekends and vacation days raising their children and creating treasured family memories. He was known for hiring local fishing guides and exploring all the area lakes, always eager to learn new techniques and discover new fishing spots.
The family also cherished their time at Fort Gibson Lake, where Linley taught his children to appreciate the outdoors and the simple pleasures of lake life. His love of fishing was matched only by his love of family, and he ensured that both passions were intertwined throughout his life.
Those who knew Linley best remember him as kind, smart, generous, thoughtful, and loving. He approached every relationship and endeavor with genuine care and consideration for others. His technical mind was balanced by a warm heart, and his success in business was matched by his devotion to family.
Linley is survived by his loving wife Donna; his two children, Christi Shelton and Kevin Jacks and his wife Carla; three cherished grandchildren, Hunter, Lauren, and Christopher and his wife Lindsey; and his sister, Linda Lewis. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Linley's legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the example he set of living with integrity, working with purpose, and finding joy in life's simple pleasures. His memory will be treasured by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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