- Date Of Birth: December 8, 1943
- Date Of Death: September 26, 2021
- State: Arizona
Dr. Jack Denton Mattingly passed away unexpectedly on September 26, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born December 8, 1943, in Zanesville, OH to Dennis and Dorothy Mattingly. Jack received his BA and MA Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Notre Dame University, and his Doctorate in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington.
While studying at UW, Jack met and married the love of his life, Sheila Mohr Lowry. They married September 5, 1981, and began their new life together at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where Jack taught in the Aeronautical Engineering Dept. In 1986, they transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, where Jack served out his 20-year military career.
In 1982, Jack met Dr.
Jack loved teaching, and upon his retirement from the Air Force, he and Sheila moved back to Washington State joining the faculty of Seattle University’s Mechanical Engineering Dept. where he was voted Professor of the Year his first year. He went on to become Dept. Chair and retired from Seattle U in 2001 as Professor Emeritus. In his second “retirement,” Jack taught classes at military bases with colleagues from USAFA, and in 2010 joined Practical Aeronautics, LLC., and continued until his death. He hoped to teach until he was 80 years old.
When they married, Sheila had three grown daughters and Jack immediately took to his role of stepfather, loving them as if they were his own. He also took his role of Grandpa Jack very seriously. When his grandchildren were young, he did all the Christmas shopping for them because he got to roam toy stores choosing a special gift for each individual child.
Jack and Sheila lived in the beautiful Pacific Northwest for 29 years, and for five years spent the entire month of August on their sailboat, sailing the waters of the American and Canadian San Juan Islands – their second most happy place after their home in Bothell.
In 1976, Jack’s overseas duty was spent in Turkey, and in 2013, his dream came true of introducing Sheila to the culture and iconic architecture of Turkey on a Mediterranean cruise. It was a trip to remember forever.
In August 2018, they bought a home in Cave Creek, AZ to be near their daughters, and savored making wonderful memories with their family. Arizona became Jack’s forever happy place – he loved the sunshine, the pool, sharing family dinners, celebrations, and holidays. Family was everything to him.
Jack was a deeply spiritual man who started each day with meditation spending time with his God and had wholly embraced his new church. He was a kind, gentle, thoughtful, patient, loving husband, stepfather, grandfather, friend. He was always available to lend a hand or a loving ear. He also cherished his fur babies and was completely heartbroken when each one passed away.
Jack is survived by his adoring wife, Sheila, his loving family of daughters, Tracey Jackson (Mark), and Kim Bruce (Dennis); grandchildren Blair Cooper, Delaney Cooper, Taylor Bruce, Jesse Bruce, Ashley Carbonatto (Blake) and Amy Pavlish (Joe); sisters, Mary Maddox, Sarah Mattingly, Julie, Mattingly, and Jane Mattingly-Courson; six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful dog, Luke.
Jack’s legacy will continue to live on through his textbooks, software, short courses, and his passion for teaching. His love and kindness will live on in the hearts and memories of his family and friends.
