Rick Allen Jack

Rick Allen Jack, 67, born on July 24, 1953 in Montcalm County, Michigan to Robert Joseph and Janet Ann Jack, passed away on March 5, 2021 at his residence in the beautiful Sandy Mush community of Leicester, North Carolina.

Rick was a gentle, humble, kind-hearted man driven by a deep desire to bring glory to God through a life devoted to Christ and to the service of others. His greatest joy was being with his best friend and wife, Debra. They were high school sweethearts married on July 14, 1973. Their love story began when Rick asked Debra for a dance at a school function, and they danced through life gracefully for 47 years with hands and hearts embraced, moving in unison to the rhythms of life.

After graduating with honors from Tri-County High School in Howard City, MI, Rick went on to attend Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI where he acquired an associates degree in Architectural Drafting. Later in 1988, Rick became a registered architect and in 1989, his entrepreneurial spirit emerged as he launched his own full-service design and architectural firm, Rick Jack Architect, specializing in residential and commercial designs. Rick’s passion for architecture and design never waned over the course of his career.

Rick was a devoted husband, father, friend and Christian brother. He made a personal commitment of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in 1974 through a televised Billy Graham crusade and remained faithful to the Lord ever after, investing in the lives of many through discipleship and service. Rick served in children’s and youth ministry, men’s ministry, building maintenance and development, and more – wherever there was a need, Rick was there to help. Together with his wife, Debra, they launched and ran an impactful national Christian scouting program for boys and girls called Kingdom Voyagers and Girls of Grace, respectively, for many years while residing in Georgia.

Anyone who had the pleasure of conversing with Rick observed that he was quick to turn the spotlight onto the Lord to give Him recognition and honor for all of his accomplishments and blessings. He would often quote from Psalm 118:23: “The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

In 2004, Rick and Debra relocated to the mountains of Western North Carolina with a vision to pioneer a ministry that would exist to help people experience the fullness of Christ. Rick served as an Associate Pastor and Elder of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Asheville, NC for 15 years.

Rick was a true and devoted family man who delighted in spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling, camping, woodworking, pre-1840 re-enacting, exploring historical sites, renovating homes, and engaging in community worship. He will always be remembered for his heart of service, warm hugs, fatherly influence, creative ingenuity, and steadfast devotion. He is now experiencing the reality of one of the treasured promises from John 14: “Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also. My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you.”

Rick is preceded in death by his father, Robert Joseph Jack and his beloved brother, Terry Lee Jack.

He is survived by his wife, Debra Jean Jack; sons, Joshua Allen Jack (Dawn) of Whitesburg, GA, and Lucas Samuel Jack (Brooke) of Leicester, NC; mother, Janet Ann Jack of Howard City, MI; sister, Robin Lynn Harper (Wade) of Saugatuck, MI; brothers, Daniel Edward Jack (Leanne) of Portland, MI, and Barry Dale Jack of Junction City, Kansas, six beloved grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in his honor on March 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Asheville. Family will receive guests from 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the ministry Rick loved most and helped pioneer: New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 1687, Leicester, NC 28748 or online at inbcf.com.