Jack Donald VanGorder Obituary (1928 - 2019)

Jack Donald VanGorder, 90 passed away August 14, 2019 at Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania. Jack was born on October 4, 1928 to the late Carl and Edna (Fleming) VanGorder in Butler, the youngest of three children. He graduated from Butler High School with the class of 1946. Jack served in the US Army at the end of WWII in the 11th Airborne, where he trained as a paratrooper. After serving his country, he attended the University of Miami. Jack met his bride, Margie Green and they were married on June 8, 1951. In 1950, Jack began his long career with Armco Steel Corporation, now known as AK Steel. He retired as a foreman in the Continuous Casting Unit in the Melt Shop, with 40 years of service, in a career he loved. Jack loved spending time with his family and friends. In early years, he enjoyed playing baseball. Then later, playing ball with his own children in their backyard, along with all the neighborhood kids. He enjoyed playing golf with his children, when they were young, and then with friends. Horseshoes was another favorite pastime. He loved working on projects and fixing things for himself and his family. Jack was very organized. All his tools were arranged on his workbench and walls, and were perfectly clean and lined up. He loved working in his yard. He found pleasure in buying homes, fixing them up, enjoying life in each one, then making money when he sold them. He also enjoyed working on his computer, even at the age of 90 years. He and his wife Margie had a Florida home for years, where they made many friends. Jack was a wonderful conversationalist his entire life. He could have written the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People"...but he didn't. Jack enjoyed watching and following all of the Pittsburgh sports teams and the PGA. He was a member of The First Baptist Church in Butler and at one time was active in The Masonic Lodge. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Margie of 68 years; daughters, Karen (Bill) Stevenson of Davidson, NC, and Judy (Joe) Marzullo of Butler; son, Don (Marsha) VanGorder of Butler; grandchildren, Jason VanGorder of Slippery Rock, Justin VanGorder of Butler, Michael Marzullo of Butler, Kari Vandevort of Butler and Rachelle Myers of Davidson, NC; 6 great grandchildren who called him Pa; sisters-in-law, Merna Patten (Jack) of Butler, Teresa Green of Butler, Joyce Shaw (Dave) of North Port, FL, and Carol Bowen (Ron) of Haymarket, VA; brother-in-law, Harold Huber of Tucson, AZ; and many nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his father, when he was 12; his mother; brother, Bob VanGorder, who was his best friend; mother-in-law, Ethel Green; sister, Arminta Rodgers; sisters-in-law, Janet VanGorder and Norma Jean Huber; brother-in-law, Jim Green. There will be a private gathering for the family. Arrangements were handled by Thompson-Miller Funeral Home Inc., 124 East North St., Butler, PA, 16001.