A Life Story

John R. "Jack" Kasun passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024, after a multi-year struggle with dementia. Even as his memory failed his sweet smile never did, and his basic kindness and the decency of his character shined forth through the illness.Jack, the eldest of three children of John Frank and Cecilia (Laeng) Kasun, grew up in the borough of Etna (Pittsburgh, PA), where his father worked for US Steel. Jack was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Pennsylvania State University in 1963 after studying logistics and supply-chain transportation. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, eventually attaining the rank of Captain.The Air Force took Jack out of western PA, first to the South – in Warner Robins, Georgia, he met the love of his life, a young high school English teacher, who claims she never recovered from her first sight of his blue eyes. After an engagement spanning his service in Thailand during the Vietnam War, Jack and Doris (Parrish) married on December 16, 1967. Thus began a nearly 57-year marriage that carried them on adventures near and far, from Germany to California to Ohio, where they raised their two children. Along the way, they visited too many beaches to count, and they exposed themselves to so many experiences never dreamt of in the steel-mill town and rural Georgia cotton fields of their childhoods.After the Air Force, Jack went to work for Proctor & Gamble, where he oversaw supply-chain distribution in the chemicals division until his retirement in 1997. A consummate family man, the children always knew he was on their side, and the dogs always knew where to go for an illicit handout. Upon retirement Jack and Doris moved from Cincinnati back to Georgia, to the Landings on Skidaway Island, where Jack embraced life as a committed golfer, financial hobbyist, feeder of "red-birds," loving and fun grandfather, and back-deck supervisor of the 14th hole of "Terrapin Point" (unlit cigar in mouth or nearby, and MacBook on lap). A loyal congregant of St. James the Less Catholic Church, he could always be found at the Saturday 5:00 p.m. Mass. His life was characterized by steady devotion and loyalty, by humbleness in all situations, and a ready smile and handshake for anyone he encountered. He enjoyed people, and was fortunate in all of the stops of his life to be surrounded by good friends.In addition to his beloved wife Doris, Jack is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Heidi Kasun of Savannah, his daughter and son-in-law Cassy and Mike Lewis of Salisbury, Maryland, his grandchildren Simon and Kara Lewis, his sister and brother-in-law Darlene and A.J. Taormino, his niece Rochelle Taormino, and his nephews David and Jeffrey Havranek. He was preceded in death by his sister Marlene Havranek and his nephew Eric Taormino.A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at St. James the Less Catholic Church, Savannah, Georgia.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a donation in Jack's memory to St. James the Less Catholic Church.