John "Jack" Eskridge

John W. “Jack” Eskridge Jack Eskridge, 89 of Valley Falls Kansas, passed away Monday, February 11th, 2013 at Centerpoint Medical Center. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Friday February 15, 2013 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the chapel. Burial will follow in Mound Grove Cemetery. He graduated from William Chrisman High where he played basketball, then went to Graceland College where he played football and basket ball and was inducted into the sports hall of fame. Jack then joined the Marines and witnessed both flag raisings of Iwo Jima during World War II and then went to KU and played basketball. Jack also played two years professional basketball with the Chicago Stags and Indianapolis Jets. After graduation Jack coached the Kansas League Champions at Atchison High. "Phog" Allen recruited Jack to be an Assistant Basketball Coach and equipment manager for KU from 1954-1959, where he recruited Wilt Chamberlain. In 1959 he was hired by Tom Landry to be the Dallas Cowboys equipment manger (1960-1973) where he designed the Star on the helmet. His love for teaching and coaching brought him back to Richardson, TX for 10 years. Afterwards he moved to Independence, MO to teach at Englewood Christian Academy. Later, he moved to Valley Falls, KS to retire, but was asked to assist coaching and teaching at Jeff West High. Jack was always the center of attention with strangers when he showed his Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Ring. Jack was a "True American Hero". He is survived by his loving wife Carol, her two sons (Danny and Del Morton), daughters Debbie Thederahn and Carrie Heil. His two sons Butch and Scott Eskridge and two daughters Denise Kobuszewski and Debra Dickson. Grandkids Tara, Cassie, Zack, Shay, and Katie Eskridge, Amanda Williford. Brian Dickson, Bo and Gates Kobuszewski and his 4 great grandchildren. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)