Condolences for
Wallace “Wally” Jakacki

Dear Cousins Family,

I am doing my family genealogy and came across your dad's passing. I am the daughter of your grandmothers brothers child (Charles Franklin Omberg). I grew up with your mother and met your father when he started dating your father. I remember him being so nice to a kid. Your mother was 4 years older than me. he would laugh a deep laugh when I talked as I am from Louisiana and he "liked my accent". Your grandmother Aunt Sally got mad because she thought she still had a southern accent and I told her "know your a "Yankee". Your father nearly choked on his tea when I told her.

Your father would often talk to me on the phone a long time when I called your mother and he always wanted to know how we were all doing. Often wanted me to mail him Community coffee from New Orleans and I gladly did. When I graduated from LSU he and your mother sent me flowers and a great card wishing me well. Your dad often spoke to my husband and called when each one of my sons were born. I know he was lost when your mom passed. He loved her so much and when he spoke of her I could hear the love in his voice.

We lost touch when we moved to Houston. I am so sorry for your loss. God please keep him in our prayers and memories.

Your Cousin,

Cherie Sue Thibodeau

Jackaki family,

I met Wally when I worked as a bench tech in the mid-80s at Aydin in Horsham. Given that he was brilliant and accomplished, quick witted and wise, it would have been easy for me to have felt intimidated. But he never allowed me (or anyone who worked there) to feel that way. Even though I knew maybe 1/100th of what he knew, he never made me feel as if my stupid questions didn't deserve a thoughtful response. Wally loved where he lived and once described himself as a 'gentleman farmer'. He seldom spoke of his family but I could tell he was utterly devoted. I've occasionally thought about my days at Aydin and some of the fine folks I met there. Knowing Wally led me to an observation that the jobs and the work you do in this life are much less important than the people you meet and the relationships you make. So glad to have met and known WJ.

Rob

Mary, et al:, I am so heart broken for your loss. I will remember your father as a mentor and wonderfully kind man. He was so involved in all of us high school kids terrorizing his house and your parents were always so welcoming. We all felt like we were their kids in some way. I can't even begin to express my feelings, but know that you are all in my prayers. Jim