John Behrens

John A. "Jack" Behrens, 91, passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, in Round Rock, Texas.

Jack was a longtime school educator/administrator in Missouri.

He was born April 27, 1922, to Richard A. and Harriet Spann Behrens. Jack was raised in Cape Girardeau and graduated from Central High School in 1940. He attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1940 to 1943 before entering active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, assigned to V12 Officer Training Program at Western Michigan University. He played varsity basketball at both Southeast and Western Michigan. Jack made the winning shot for Southeast in the 1943 NAIA National Championship basketball game. He is a member of Southeast's Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1944, Jack was assigned to 5th Marine Division stationed in the Pacific. After World War II, he stayed in the Marine Corps Reserves. He received a bachelor of science degree in history from Southeast in 1946, moved to St. Louis and worked with the Veterans Administration and in education. Jack was recalled to active duty in 1950 with the 2nd Marine Division for Korean War service. He returned from active duty, was reassigned to the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring after 20 years with the rank of major.

He earned a master's degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1955. He worked in education in the Kirkwood School District and then returned to work at Southeast in 1962 and retired in 1986 as the university's admissions director.

Jack and his family resided in Webster Groves, Mo., 33 years. He and his wife of 64 years, Charlotte, enjoyed many good years of retirement, traveling the U.S. by car visiting friends and family. The family were lifelong members of Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau where he served as an usher.

Jack was a consummate gentleman, a true friend, a great listener who had a very dry sense of humor and a great smile. He loved watching sports, especially college basketball and football and reading newspapers. Jack treasured his lifelong friendship with Rolla Anderson and Jack Lamkin.

Dear friends, Merit Leming, Bob Chisum and Jack "Pug" Russell, and his granddaughter, Katelyn Spann Chatron, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Nann Blackford Behrens; a brother, Richard P. "Dick" Behrens of Del Ray Beach, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Marjorie Cord of Rohnert Park, Calif.; a son, Richard Spann Behrens and wife Debbie of Saginaw, Texas; a daughter, Barbara Ann Chatron and husband Mike of Round Rock; four grandchildren, Megan Lott (Alan), Anne Miller (Mike), Lance Waddill and Angie Uptmore (James); five great-grandchildren, Hallie, Jordan and Erin Lott, Evelyn and Harrison Uptmore. His nephews, Chris Cord, Richard (Skeeter) Behrens, John Behrens and Robert Behrens will greatly miss him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel with parish prayers at 5:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Old St. Vincent's Church.

Memorial contributions in Jack Behrens name can be made to Old St. Vincent's Church in Cape Girardeau or Southeast Missouri State University general scholarship fund.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.