Jack Wayne Emig

December 22, 1925 - November 18,2023

Jack Wayne Emig, 97, passed away on Saturday, November 18 at his residence in Winter Park, Florida. He was born in 1925 in New Philadelphia, Ohio. His mother was Ellen Roth Emig Crites, and his father was Virgil Emig. He was predeceased by his sister Amelia Moran and brother Leroy Crites Jr.

Jack graduated from high school in Dover, Ohio, and went on to Ohio State University where he majored in music education. He met Lois the first week of their freshman year. World War II would interrupt his education when he entered the United States Navy in 1944. He was assigned to the newly commissioned heavy cruiser USS Guam. They went to the South Pacific and joined the campaign. Jack was a fireman and a musician on the ship. When kamikazes crashed into the aircraft carrier USS Franklin, it was the USS Guam that came alongside it to fight the fire and take the wounded onboard. After the war, Jack returned to Ohio State and eventually completed his Master’s Degree.

On June 7, 1947, Jack and Lois were married in Zanesville, Ohio.

Jack taught high school band in several schools: Wintersville, OH 1948-51, Wellsburg, West Virginia 1951-56, Wooster, Ohio 1956-64, Valley Stream, New York 1964-81. He also served as the Valley Stream District Chairman of Music from 1972-81.

Jack was a church choir director at multiple churches where Lois served as the organist. These churches include Wellsburg West Virginia Christian Church, Wooster Ohio Christian Church, Baldwin New York Presbyterian Church, Woodmere New York United Methodist Church, and Azalea Park United Methodist Church in Orlando Florida. Jack touched countless people with his love of music. Not only did he spend decades teaching high school, he also lead the Valley Stream Community Band, performing free summer concerts for the community. In his later years, he formed an ensemble at Westminster Winter Park to play for the other residents.

Jack was predeceased by his daughter Sandra. He is survived by his wife Lois, his son Keith (Dina), and 2 grandchildren Chris Emig of Webster, New York and Ashley Emig Battaglia of Fairport, New York. Ashley and her husband Anthony have given him 3 great-grandchildren: Ethan, Avery and Emersyn.

Jack and Lois were recognized on the Today show in 2022 for their 75th anniversary.

Jack was a member of the marching band in 1943, 1945, and 1947. He played Trombone and Baritone.