John “Jack” Charles Jessell, PhD, formerly of Terre Haute, IN, passed away at Life’s Journey of Indianapolis on July 15, 2019. He was born June 19, 1932, the only child of Raymond and Florence Jessell, in Waterbury, Connecticut. After high school graduation he volunteered for a 4 year service with the United States Navy during the Korean War.  Upon his return, Jack continued his education at Southern Connecticut State University (known then as State Teachers College) where he was a catcher on the school’s baseball team, graduating with honors with a degree in Education. He taught at the junior high level and coached his basketball and track teams to their city championships. He then obtained his master’s degree at Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio, in 1962.

On August 18, 1962, he married Audrey Bloodgood of Larchmont, New York in Larchmont. Following the completion of Jack’s doctoral degree in 1964 at the University of Wisconsin, he and Audrey moved to Terre Haute to begin his career as Professor of Counseling Psychology at Indiana State University. Jack also served for decades as the NCAA Faculty Representative for ISU, as well as stints as the Missouri Valley Conference President.  He retired from ISU in 1996.

  Surviving are his daughter, Dana Jessell, Whitestown, IN; his son, Timothy and his wife Ragan, of Stillwater, OK;  and his daughter, Lynn Ford and her husband Chad Ford, of Franklin, IN; his grandchildren Laura Jordan and her husband Kevin Jordan, Whitestown, IN; and Michael Dorman of Salt Lake City, UT; Abby, Ben, and Molly Jessell of Stillwater, OK; Jake and Max Ford of Franklin, IN; Cooper, Kennedy, and Gabrielle Akers of Fishers, IN; his great grandchildren Fiona and Knox Jordan. He was preceded in death by his wife Audrey in 2011, and his daughter Gail Akers in 2015.

Jack was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s University Parish and long time member of the Terre Haute Rotary Club. He thoroughly enjoyed his children and grandchildren’s sports teams. He especially loved baseball and was a well spring of knowledge about the game’s great players. He took this passion to the Terre Haute youth baseball fields, coaching many of his son’s baseball teams to great success. He also served as President of Ralph Mills Little League in 1976-1977. Then, in 1978, Jack helped spearhead the creation of the South Vigo Babe Ruth League. These efforts came to fruition in 1980 when coach Jack challenged the long established northside Babe Ruth League champs to a first ever “Best of 3” City Championship with his southside league champs, “Terre Haute Auto & Paint”. He was very proud to lead his team to the trophy with a clean sweep. A music lover, especially big band jazz, Jack had an extensive album collection with his favorites being Frank Sinatra and Stan Kenton. He was able to meet and have a drink with both of them backstage. Jack also loved his pet dogs – Fritz, Harvey, & Arvey.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 am on Friday, July 26, 2019, at St. Joseph’s University Parish in Terre Haute, IN, with Father Savio officiating.