Jackson Neal Baty, age 90, of Cedar Falls, passed peacefully on January 12, 2016, while attempting to recover from a broken hip. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date in the spring. Jackson was born on June 18, 1925, to Eben and Emma (Jackson) Baty in Chicago, Illinois.
Jackson will be fondly remembered as a newspaperman, educator, and encourager of others. Jackson was a cowboy at heart with a passion for learning, living, and exploring. He was a generous person who gave willingly of his time and resources to help others. He smoked a pipe for many years and was known lovingly as the "Old Puffer".
Jack was proud of his military service in the U. S. Army and served in both World War II and Korea. After the military he worked as a reporter for the Times Plain Dealer in Cresco and later as owner/editor of the Mitchell County Press News in Osage. He had a penchant for opinionated columns in his weekly "Puffs from the Editor's Pipe."
Jack had a love of learning and received his Bachelor's (Stanford), Master's (UNI), and Doctoral (Drake) degrees. He taught in the Education Department at the University of Northern Iowa, where he also served as advisor to the student newspaper, the Northern Iowan. He was a beloved teacher and mentor to many young people.
Jackson was a diehard Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan and an avid booster of the UNI Panthers. He enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, pinochle and 'Up and Down the River', as well as croquet and golf. He had the good fortune of having a cabin on the Mississippi River for over fifty years. Numerous family and friends have gathered there throughout the years and enjoyed life with much libation and laughter. He shared his love of the river with many and was famous for his 'Cocktail Boat Rides'.
Jackson was blessed with two loving wives. He married Jeanette Carlson on June 29, 1956. They enjoyed fifty years together until her passing in 2006. They were able to explore many parts of the world together. Their hospitality was legendary. The flames of a college romance were re-ignited, and he was wed to Mary Margaret Daegling on February 27, 2008, until her death in 2014.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; both wives (Jeanette and Mary); his sister Mary; son Corliss; and daughter-in-law Susanne. He is survived by a brother David (Sue) Baty; daughter Jean (Sean) Young; grandchildren Emily (Nick) Weber, Erin (Sol) Miller, Timothy Young, and Katie Young; along with four great-grandchildren; and numerous friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation c/o Jackson Baty Memorial Fund or in his honor to the National Mississippi River Museum.
"Sail on, Captain Jack"
Copyright Mitchell County Press News on-line edition; downloaded January 16, 2016.