Jack Britain

Jack Elden Britain passed away peacefully September 30, 2005 at Walnut Place in Dallas, TX. Jack was born December 4, 1916 in Gotebo, OK to Blake and Ethel Britain. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of fifty two years. Jack was raised in Shawnee, OK and graduated in 1938 from the University of Oklahoma where he was captain of the baseball team. In World War II he served in the Pacific theater in the capture, assault and occupation of the Philippines, Guam, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and the surrender of Japan. As Lt. Commander of USS-LST 449 from 1942 to 1946, his ship earned five battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service. In 1947, Jack married Tommy Howardine Majors and they started their family in Muskogee, OK where Jack and his first commanding officer from the Navy founded a tire service station. The family moved to Waco in 1955 and Jack formed Britain Oil that opened more than twenty Skelly Oil gas stations. He later served as President of the spin-off company, Poweram Oil Company, a real estate development and Texaco gas jobber. Jack was a founding member of the Cogdell Methodist Church and was active in numerous civic organizations in Waco. Jack will be remembered most for his generosity, loyalty and love for his family and for the tender care he took of his wife especially as caregiver in the last years of her life. He is survived by daughter, Barbara Flesher of Dallas; sons, Richard Britain of Dallas, Donald Britain of Waco and Mark Britain and wife, Cindy of Richardson. He was the proud grandfather of Matthew and Scott Flesher and Holly Ann, Elizabeth, Cullan, Michele and Blake Britain. Other survivors include his sister, Rachel Bowles Richeson of Shawnee, OK and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Tuesday, October 4 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Graveside service will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 5 at Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum with Rev. Su Milam officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that that you make donations to Cogdell Memorial Methodist Church or Mercy Med+Flight in Ft Worth, 817-626-6082. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.