Obituary: John Joseph ‘Jack’ Coomes, 87, Bardstown
John Joseph “Jack” Coomes, 87, of Bardstown, died Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. He was born on Aug. 21, 1931, in Bardstown to the late Thomas Joseph and Margaret Ellen Hall Coomes. He grew up on a farm and attended St. Joe Prep. He joined the Kentucky National Guard in 1949 and was activated to the Korean War from 1951-1954 to the 113 Ordinance Company. He volunteered to transfer to the State Department for undisclosed operations out of Formosa (Taiwan). He continued to serve in the Kentucky National Guard until 1959. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 121.
He began working at Buzicks Lumber building barrel warehouses then went to Jim Beam Distillery while going to school for electronics. Once he received his training he opened his own radio/tv mechanic shop in New Haven. He eventually closed his shop went to work at RCA in Louisville. He then was hired by Owens-Illinois as an electrical engineer. After retiring from Owens-Illinois he ran a tax business with his wife Tillie and taught electronics at Nelson County Vocational night school. He was a Kentucky Colonel, member of Knights of Columbus, and a former scout leader of local scout troop. He and his wife Tillie both served on St. Joseph Catholic Church’s Bereavement Committee, and were RCIA coordinators and Eucahristic ministers.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann “Tillie” Coomes, who died May 8, 2019; two sisters, Mary Brenda Maras and Margaret Ann “Peggy” Boyer; and one brother, Caroll Coomes.
Survivors include two daughters, Jacquie (Larry) Slone of Raven and Ann (Mickey) Hardin of Bardstown; three sons, Tony Coomes of Houston, John Gabriel (Lisa) Coomes of Labolt, S.D., and Mickey Coomes of Lexington; two brothers, George (Sharon) Elliot Coomes of Longview, Texas and Thomas Daniel (Kitty) Coomes of Fort Worth, Texas; 13 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with the Rev. Terry Bradshaw officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2019, and 8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, with prayers Friday evening and an American Legion service Friday at 5 p.m.
The Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home, 1475 New Shepherdsville Road, is in charge of arrangements.
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