SPOKANE, Wash. – Jack Stockton, the former owner of Jack and Dan’s tavern and father of NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton, died Saturday at the age of 89.
Representatives with the Hennessey Funeral Home & Crematory confirmed to KREM 2 they will be handling the funeral for Stockton. They said he died on Saturday. His funeral is set for Friday at St. Aloysius.
Tom Prenger said he is proudly among the many who loved and respected Stockton. He said he has known Stockton for close to 20 years.
"A good friend of mine, but then he was a good friend to everyone," Prenger said. "So there's nothing special about me, what's special is Jack. He was a very honest person, who worked hard, and he clearly, clearly, has made a mark on this community."
Stockton's legacy with Spokane lives strong today as evident in the Jack and Dan's Tavern. Stockton bought the tavern originally in January of 1961. Then, 15 months later, Stockton partnered up with Dan Crowley III. They changed the name to "Jack and Dan's" 14 years later.
Jeff Condill, who has been a full partner at Jack and Dan's since 1991, and played with John at Gonzaga said Spokane lost a great man Saturday morning.
"He was a huge impact on my life," he said. "He was a rock. He was steady for so many people."
Condill said Stockton touched many lives in the decades he was at the helm of Jack and Dan's.
"His greatest legacy is his four kids, and they are all great people and very successful not withstanding any athletic ability," Condill said, "they are just good people and that's his wife's and his outlasting legacy of how great a man he is."
Our deepest condolences to the Stockton family. https://t.co/pDZXgQ0Syx
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 29, 2017
Condill said a rosary service is planned at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on East Boone Avenue on Thursday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will happen on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
As news of his passing spread, many took to social media to share their condolences and recognize his impact on the Spokane community.
RIP Spokane's Jack Stockton, sending Thoughts & Prayers to family & friends. You will be missed in our Spokane & GU community.
— Brian Schaeffer (@SpokaneFire) May 28, 2017