- Date Of Birth: May 17, 1933
- Date Of Death: April 20, 2021
- City: La Salle
- State: Colorado
Jack was born May 17, 1933, in La Salle, Colorado, and was the son of the late John and Zua (Cagley) Annan. Raised on an irrigated farm near La Salle, he showed Duroc hogs at fairs for nine years as a 4-H member. Jack attended La Salle School through the ninth grade; he graduated in 1951 from College High School in Greeley. He was a delegate to Colorado Boys State in 1950 and served as Student Body President his senior year. Jack played baseball and was named to the all-conference basketball team his senior year.
He graduated from Colorado A & M College in 1955, with a degree in Vocational Agriculture. During college, he was a member of Alpha Tau Alpha, Lancers, Alpha Zeta and Farmhouse Fraternity. He received a teaching assistantship at Colorado State University in 1965-66, and earned a Master’s Degree in Education in 1966.
Jack began courting Florence (Hoff) Annan in high school, and she became his wife Sept. 19, 1954, in LaSalle. They were inseparable and served as tremendous role models for many during their 66 years of marriage.
Upon graduating from Colorado A & M, he received an ROTC commission in the United States Army. Jack served six months on active duty at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland. He completed his tour of duty in the reserves.
Jack organized the New Raymer Vocational Agriculture Department and FFA Chapter in 1957, and led the program until 1962. He held the same position at Grover High School until 1965. During those years, he served as a supervising teacher for several student teachers.
Upon earning his Master’s Degree in 1966, Jack and Florence moved to Sterling where Jack had accepting a teaching position in the Northeastern Junior College Agriculture Department. He was instrumental in organizing the Aggies Club in 1968.
In 1970, Jack assumed the position of Vocational Counselor in the Admissions office. In that capacity, he recruited students from throughout Colorado and the surrounding states until he retired in 1993, and continued part time until 2002. Jack never met a stranger, and was a master at learning about each person he met. He used that information to help each person achieve his or her own goals. Where appropriate, he made sure NJC was a part of that equation. In 1996, he became the part-time Executive Director of the Northeastern Junior College Alumni Association until 2021.
During the summers of 1969 and 1970, Jack taught a Farm and Home planning class for Colorado Vocational Agriculture teachers under the supervision of Colorado State University.
He was instrumental in organizing the Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association and served as Advisor to the Northeastern Junior College Young Farmer Chapter. Jack also served as executive secretary of the Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association from its inception to 2015.
During the summers from 1971 to 1982, he organized and conducted a weeklong Leadership Training Conference for the Colorado Vocational Student Organization state officers on the Northeastern Junior College campus. Many state officers attended NJC because of how welcome and well-served they had felt during that week-long experience.
Jack was a member of the Sterling Lions Club; a life member of the Sterling Elks Lodge; a member of the Sterling Masonic Lodge and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason; and a member of the Sterling First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder.
Over the years, Jack received the following recognitions: Outstanding Lion of the Year, Logan County Citizen of the Year, Merit Award for Outstanding Service to Vocational Education, Lt. Monte Samber Pioneer Teaching Award, NJC Alumni President’s Award, Colorado Vocational Association Hall of Fame, Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, NJC Agriculture Hall of Fame, Logan County Fair Parade and Rodeo Marshall with his wife Florence, Alumni of the Plains by Northeastern Colorado Progressive 15, Colorado State University Agriculture and Resource Economics Hall of Fame, Honorary Member of all the Career and Technical Student Organizations, Honorary State and American FFA Degree and Farm House Fraternity Master Builder of Men Award.
In 2004, a life-size bronze statue of Jack was dedicated on the Northeastern Junior College campus recognizing him as “MR. NJC.” Since 2000, he has worked with a committee to organize the NJC Alumni Heritage Center.
He and his wife, Florence, were inseparable and enjoyed traveling and visited every state in the United States. They also traveled to England, Scotland, Wales, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Canada and Mexico.
Jack was a dedicated sports fan. He attended nearly all Northeastern Junior College volleyball and basketball games, and other athletic events. He and his Florence have held Denver Broncos season tickets since 1977. He enjoyed working in the yard, mowing and taking care of the flowers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Nadine Monroe and daughter-in-law Stacia Annan.
Jack is survived by his wife Florence, son Bill Annan of Brush, Colorado, daughter Sherry Talbott and her husband Rodd of Windsor, Colorado; grandchildren Travis (Shelly) Annameier, Ryan (Hailey) Annan, Robb (Kirsten) Talbott and Megan (Christian) Bos; step-grandchildren Callie Marin and her fiancé Kyle Brekel, Dave Marin and Ryan (Cindy) Clark; six great-grandchildren Henry Bos, Andrew Bos, Charlie Bos, Oliver Talbott, Lucy Talbott and Jackson Annan and step great-grandson Brayden Clark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jack and Florence Annan Leadership Scholarship Fund at Northeastern Junior College, c/o NJC Foundation, 100 College Avenue, Sterling, CO 80751.
