Jackie Bob Piland

Jackie Bob Piland, age 86, passed away peacefully in his home on November 26^th, 2023, with his daughter, Heidi, by his side. Jack, as we all called him, was born on April 27^th, 1937, in Fort Worth, Texas, to JB and Ruth Piland.

Jack was raised in the River Oaks area of Fort Worth and graduated from Trimble Tech High School in 1955, ironically the same year the second generation Chevrolet Bel Air debuted. Jack loved fast cars and raced in many sanctioned drag races and has a box full of trophies to show for it. After high school, he was drafted for a stint in the Army and was honorably discharged after his service, which included time in Hawaii. Jack attended trade school where he became licensed in construction and carpentry. His long career in construction led him to a job in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he met Ruth Hughey in early 1963 at an A&W Root Beer stand. They were married on August 31, 1963, and relocated to Houston where Jack took a job with Cadenhead Construction.

Jack and Ruth had a love affair that lasted 60 years. After Ruth passed away several weeks ago, we talked to Jack, and he couldn’t remember them ever spending a night away from each other. That is so rare. They welcomed Heidi into the world on October 13, 1965, their only child. She was the apple of his eye! After Heidi was born, Jack and Ruth moved to Hurst where they lived for the next 32 years.

Jack, Ruth, and Heidi loved to go camping and so enjoyed going with their friends. This ultimately led them to look at property at Possum Kingdom Lake, where they purchased their existing homesite in 1976. They moved to PK full time in 1995. Jack and Ruth became fixtures at Possum Kingdom Lake, with Ruth being involved in the community civics and Jack in most ongoing construction projects. If it wasn’t done up to Jack’s specifications, then it wasn’t done right!!

Jack was a family man, always there for Ruth, Heidi and his granddaughter, Sloane. He was faithful, hard-working, and always 100% had their backs. Jack was generous with his time. He never shied away from hard work when it came calling, especially when his PK neighbors needed a helping hand. He loved golf and had two hole-in-ones to his credit. Jack loved company to come visit and was never happier than on summer holidays when everyone was at the lake. He loved to play shuffleboard, throw washers, and generally loved to compete. We’ll miss him for being the ringleader for those fun times.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Heidi Urban and her husband, Stacy Urban, granddaughter Sloane Cooper, three nieces, Donna Wright, Kelly Bailey, and Shelly Howle.

The family extends their gratitude towards the team at Solaris Hospice. They were so caring as they assisted us in Jack’s final days.

A graveside ceremony will be held Wednesday, December 6^th at 1pm, at Pickwick-McAdams Cemetery at Possum Kingdom Lake. The family welcomes those afterwards by gathering at Heidi and Stacy’s house to celebrate Jack’s life.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alz.org.