Jack Overman

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Jack H. Overman, 100, of Pittsburg, passed away at 3:40 a.m. Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the Via Christi Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was born August 23, 1918 at Girard, Kansas the son of John Odis and Jessie Blanche (Hudson) Overman. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1936, and then attended Kansas State Teacher’s College, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s of Science in Business. While he was in college was a yell leader and the first Gus the Gorilla.

Mr. Overman began his career as a traveling salesman for the Sheaffer Pen Company. He was also the advisor and counselor to the College YMCA, then worked as the Personnel Manager for McNally’s Manufacturing. In 1948, he became the Director of the Student Union at Pittsburg State University, where he worked for 37 years before retiring in 1985. In response to the students petition, the Board of Regents dedicated the student union in his name to become the Jack H. Overman Student Center.

While in college at KSTC, he met and dated, for five years, Doris VanDuser. They were married August 25, 1945, at the Fredonia Methodist Church, in Fredonia, KS. Doris was the love of his life. They traveled all over the United States and Europe. If there was an event that included dancing, you could be sure that he and Doris would be on the floor from the first to the last dance! They had danced together since college.

Membership was held in the First United Methodist Church, where he was very active and sang in the choir for years; the Pittsburg Noon Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge #187, Scottish Rite Consistory, and the Mirza Shrine, where he was a Senior Past Potentate, and was recently recognized as the oldest living member. Jack was also a YMCA Volunteer and served on several local boards.

Survivors include a son, Steve Overman and his wife, Pam of Pacifica, California; a daughter, Sandra Overman-Haile and her husband, Chuck of Pittsburg; a brother, Don Overman and his wife, Bernadine of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska; two grandchildren, Jack H. Overman, II of San Clemente, California and Jenna Ann Overman of South Lake Tahoe, California; two step-grandchildren, Jason Haile of Orange, Texas and Chris Haile and his wife, Lauren of Land O’ Lakes, Florida; and a great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Brynn Haile.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, (Dec. 17th) at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Brenner Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Jack and Doris Overman Scholarship Fund at the First United Methodist Church, the Jack and Doris Overman Scholarship Fund at the YMCA, or the Jack and Doris Overman Scholarship Fund at Pittsburg State University. Memorials may be left at or sent to Brenner Mortuary. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg.

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