Jackie E. Wescott

Jackie E. Wescott, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on January 22, 2024, at the age of 91.  Jackie was born in Fountain Grove, Missouri, (Linn County) on October 10, 1932, to Jack and Lottie Wescott and one brother Jerry, who all preceded him in death.

He moved to Hale, Missouri, at the age of 5 years old and started school in the Hale Public School District.  He also attended a small County School in Clione, Missouri.  Jackie graduated 8^th grade in Leeton School and went to High School in Hale Public School District, graduating in 1950.  

After high school, he went into construction work.  In 1951, he met the love of his life, Shirley Jordan, and would watch her play basketball games in high school.  In January 1953, he was drafted into the United States Army and would soon leave for Korea.  However, before leaving, Jackie and Shirley were married on July 18, 1953.  After they were married the two of them, and each of their moms, went to the movie theater to watch a show.   Soon after the marriage, Jackie was sent overseas to Korea, returning home with an honorable discharge in December 1954.  

Upon returning home, his wife Shirley was working in Kansas City, which is when Jackie got a job at Western Auto.  He worked in Local Union #41 for 40 years.  He worked for many truck lines including Kroger Groceries, Belger, American Freight, and Holmes Freight Lines.  Jackie retired in 1995, after many years in the trucking industry.  

Jackie and Shirley moved to Independence in 1961, where they raised their four children.  Son Douglas Wescott (Mary) of Independence, daughter Dorla Kenworthy (Tim) of Independence, son Dean Wescott (Rebecca) of Independence, who preceded him in death, and daughter Dixie Wescott of Blue Springs.   Jackie had eight grandchildren:   Tiffany Wescott who preceded him in death, Jason Wescott, Cory Brasfield, Jeff Wescott, Jordan Kenworthy, Ryan Wescott, Kelsey Kenworthy, and Amber (Wescott) White.  Jackie also had many great-grandchildren:  Lilly Perdue, Sophia Wescott, Logan Wescott, Braelyn Wescott, Kensley Wescott, Barrett Wescott, Laney Wescott, Henley Wescott, Bristol Wescott, Brady Jones, Beckett Jones, Colson Jones, Jordyn White, and Wesley White.

Square Dancing was a passion for Jackie and Shirley.  They danced for 15+ years every week, sometimes taking their kids with them.   They were members of the Hicks and Chicks Square Dancing Club.  Jackie was also a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

In 1991, they moved to Odessa, Missouri, to a small waterfront in which Jackie spent numerous hours building a Gazebo on their property before anything else was built.   This Gazebo was a special place in which the family would gather around on Holidays before the actual house was built.   They moved back to Independence, Missouri, in 1999, in which Jackie lived his remaining life.  

Jackie and Shirley were lifetime “Junkers”, as they thoroughly enjoyed going to swap meets, auctions, and antique stores.  They would travel around the mid-West often, trying to find “treasures” for themselves or to put in their Antique booth.  They passed the joy of junking on to their children, often taking them on such trips.  Jackie loved collecting tractor-trailer trucks and silhouettes.  

No matter what was going on in Jackie’s life, he always put his family first.  He always helped and supported them in their endeavors, no matter where they were.  Jackie was a positive man, who typically looked at the bright side of life, never complaining.  

A visitation will be held at Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 E 39^th St. Independence, MO 64055) from 5-7 pm on Monday, January 29, 2024. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Speaks Suburban Chapel starting at 10 am followed by a brief graveside at Greenton Cemetery in Odessa, Missouri.  

Pallbearers: Jason Wescott, Jeff Wescott, Jordan Kenworthy, Ryan Wescott, Chris White, Travis Wescott, and Trevor Wescott

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center.