Daryl Jack

May 25, 1955 - January 1, 2013

Spring Hill (TN) High School Music Director, Daryl Jack, passed away on New Year’s Day at Baptist Hospital, following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 in the Gymnasium of Spring Hill High School at 2:00 PM. Services will be officiated by The Rev. Bob Phelps of the East Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Special music will be provided by members of the Nashville Wind Ensemble, as well as past and present students of the Spring Hill High School Band.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 11:00 AM until the 2:00 PM funeral hour. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Daryl was born May 25, 1955 in San Jose, California. He was the son of Mr. Llewellyn “Llew” Jack of Milpitas, California and the late Elsie Lafayette Peterson Jack. He was a graduate of San Jose State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Music/Teaching Education.

Mr. Jack’s life was dedicated to music. He served as band director at his Alma Mater - Milpitas High School before coming to Tennessee. He began his tenure as Band & Music Director at Spring Hill High School in 1989, while still located in the “old school.” Since the move to the “new school” during the 1992 season, the SHHS Band Program has won numerous awards over the years under the leadership of Mr. Jack. Many of his students have continued their studies in music at various universities, with aspirations of careers in music and music education. He also played with the Nashville Wind Ensemble.

Beyond his world at the school, Mr. Jack was deeply invested in the music ministry of his church, East Brentwood Presbyterian in Brentwood, TN. There, he sang in the choir and regularly played his bassoon for special events. He was a member of the “Dialoging in the Spirit” Sunday School group where he added “much spark to the group’s conversations.”

He was also well known for his woodworking. Annually, he would present his graduating seniors with a piece or two of his handywork – beautiful pens, bowls, etc. He also made the large cross on the wall in the sanctuary of his church, as well as the chancel furniture.

Mr. Jack’s faith was evident in his daily life. Although he was strict in his leadership and expectations of his students, his kindness was evident at the same time. Whether he was at school, in church, or at home, he was the same person. He expected the best from those around him and wouldn’t allow others to settle for less. Perfection was not his goal, but “your best effort” was.

He never cared for technology, disliking what it was doing to personal communications and its’ increased presence in marching band programs. His style was not overshadowing his students with props and electronic gadgets, but allowing the music and talent to speak for itself.

He loved Spring Break band trips and enjoyed any opportunity to ride a roller coaster, eat chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, or drink a Mountain Dew. He was known to keep plastic spoons in his vehicle for the impromptu stop for ice cream on band trips. He loved the outdoors, too.

Mr. Jack will be remembered for his dedication and inspiration to the hundreds of students’ lives he touched over the years, as well as for his example of leadership, fairness, and kindness to his peers in education.

Preceded in death by his mother in January of 2012, Mr. Jack is survived by his father: Llew Jack of Milpitas, CA; his daughter: Emily Alvarado and fiance’ Stephen Enfinger of Nashville; his son: Kevin Thomas Jack of Brentwood; and his sister: Caryl Lafayette Farrer of Columbia, CA. Aunts and uncles also survive.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Spring Hill High School Music Club, 1 Raider Ln, Columbia, TN 38401.

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