Jesse "Jack" L. Grange
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Jesse "Jack" L. Grange, 776th
4 February 2011
Jesse "Jack" L. Grange, 93, passed on to eternal life with Jesus Christ on 4 February 2011. Jack was born on March 3, 1917 in Waterloo, Illinois. He grew up in Vincennes, Indiana and graduated from Oaktown High School in 1935. In 1938 Jack married Maxine Stout of Des Moines, and in 1940 the couple moved from Detroit, Michigan to Des Moines where he was a loving, devoted husband to Maxine for 57 years.
He served his country as a captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was in the 776th Squadron of the 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy). He received a Purple Heart after the plane he was piloting, "The Uninvited," (42-51593, aka "Hell's Bells"), was shot down over German territory. The crew was rescued by Russian troops and Jack spent time recuperating in a Russian hospital.
Jack was a longtime employee of Equitable Insurance Company, and retired from there in 1979. He was a respected, dedicated seventy-year member and elder of Highland Park Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the Auburn Masonic Lodge and Highland Park Legion.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; parents, Thomas and Gertrude Grange; and sisters, Clara, Mary, and Luella.
Left to cherish his memory are his nephew, Thomas (Connie) Organ; dear friend, Ruth Gustafson, her family, the Hiatt family, his church family, and friends.
Services were held at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Interment was at Pine Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 321 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, IA 50313.
Arrangements were handled by Hamilton's Funeral Home.