Jack Glen Pirkey

Dr. Jack Glen Pirkey, 87, of Commerce, died at his home (The Lytle Home Place) August 31, 2024. His wife of 68 years, Beverly Jo Lytle, as well as family members, were at his side.

Survivors include his son and daughter in law, Dr. Steve and Shelley Pirkey of Wylie, Texas; grandchildren; Chase Pirkey and his fiancé Sydney Herring, Kendyl Pirkey, Peyton Pirkey, and Paige Pirkey; and brothers, Joe and wife Katie, and Clay and wife Gretchen.

Dr. Pirkey was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Rey Kilpatrick Pirkey of West Monroe, Louisiana..

Dr. Pirkey was born in Texarkana, Texas September 28, 1936.  He married Beverly Jo Lytle June 3, 1956, in Commerce.   They both graduated Commerce High School and East Texas State University in Commerce.  Dr. Pirkey obtained a B.S. in Physical Education and mathematics; he quarterbacked the Lion Football Team during his academic years at “ET”.  He was a member and president of the Ogima Social Club for Men, The T Association, and lettered four years in basketball and football. Dr. Pirkey coached football and basketball at Gilmer High School, where he mentored a state champion golfer, Paris High School, and Commerce High School.

The Pirkeys and son, Steve, made their home in Commerce and participated in First Baptist Church activities and community/civic events and organizations.  In 1968 the Pirkey family moved to Arlington where Jack assumed the position of Director of Physical Education at Tarrant County Junior College in Fort Worth.  When he retired in 1993, he was Director of Physical Education, Sciences, Nursing and Instructional Television as TCJC Vice Chancellor.

Following retirement from TCJC, Dr. Pirkey joined American Airlines at DFW, to book airline pilot flights as they were bid.  He and Beverly traveled the world during those years and intensified their love for travel and broadened their knowledge of customs and historical landmarks.  Other hobbies which intrigued Dr. Pirkey were reading, fishing, hunting, raising cattle, playing golf, and backpacking in the Tetons. the Great Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon.

The Pirkeys moved to Commerce to retire, but Dr. Pirkey had another mission to accomplish, according to his wife.  He wanted to found an educational enrichment foundation to enhance student achievement and experiences alongside their educational program in the public school and Commerce was his target. He gathered two dozen Commerce High School alumni and began the massive task of learning about regulations and standards to be met to enjoin the school system and a required 501 3C entity.  It took three years of speaking to consultants and State Representatives to accomplish the preliminaries and in 2005 the first Boots and Barbeque was held for patrons and ticket holders of Commerce Educational Enrichment Foundation.  A grant proposal program was conceived and teachers each year applied in an extensive request for to be funded.  An endowment was begun and to date the foundation has presented over $500,000 to the CISD school system in grant requests.

Dr. Pirkey was a coach, educator, philanthropist, financial investor, and entrepreneur. He was also an ET Alumni ambassador, served on the Texas A&M University Commerce Hall of Fame Selection Committee, a member of the Gold Blazer Society, the Northeast Texas International Wine and Food Tasting Society, the Commerce Coffee Club and the Sikes Boys (all Lion Football Players who were coached by J. V. Sikes during his Head Coach tenure at ETSU Commerce). On April 1, 2004, The Pirkeys were inducted into the Texas A&M University Commerce Founders Circle.

Devout in his faith, Dr. Jack Glen Pirkey revered his family and his many friends.

Serving as Pallbearers are Charlie Clift, Chad Frayer, Chuck Lay, Alex Harris, Jaret Lytle, John Pirkey, Jonathan Pirkey, Matthew Pirkey, Lanny Rainey, and Mark Shepherd.  Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Ainsworth, Jim Ayres, Danny Duncan, Charles Frayer, Bill Fuhrmeister, Michael Garrett, Benny Herman, Jim Reynolds, Charlie Smith, Jim Stahl, Neal Stewart, Dave Tidlund, Sam Walker, and Wyman Williams.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation in Dr. Pirkey's honor, ensuring that his legacy of supporting Commerce students lives on: commerceisd.link/CSEEFdonation.