John F. "Jack" Heimovics

John F "Jack" Heimovics, Jr. 80, of Granger Township, Medina County passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at The Avenue at Medina.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri to his late parents, John F. Heimovics, Sr. and Margaret Peterson Heimovics, he attended Kansas City schools. Jack was valedictorian of his class at Enterprise High School, Enterprise, Kansas. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas. At KU, he joined Sigma Chi social fraternity. He was elected to Pi Tau Sigma, Sigma Tau and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honorary Societies.
Jack's career path led him to Akron where he was employed by B.F. Goodrich from 1960-1985, working primarily as an engineer in research & development of tires, wheels and brakes, U.S. Government R & D contracts, snowmobile tracks, and inflatable products including aircraft evacuation slide inflation systems. Jack took early retirement in 1985 and started Shade Tree Motorcars Inc., a collector car restoration business. In addition to working for customers, he collected and restored cars for personal use. He enjoyed driving antique cars and had many happy memories of car tours with various clubs. He was a member of Vintage Motor Car Club of America (Hall of Fame Chapter), Antique Automobile Club of America (Canton Chapter), Northcoast Miata Club, Jaguar Club of Ohio, The Cranksters Model A Club, Rolls Royce Owners Club and the Secrets of Speed Society. Jack was the uncle always eager to engage with nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews. His hobby of building and flying radio-controlled airplanes made him great company, and he always had a flock of children by his side. Locally, he was a member of Barnstormer's Radio Controlled Airplane Club. Jack donated two of his airplanes to museums in Ohio and Kansas.
Another way that Jack connected with his familial fledglings was the way that he talked and treated them like adults from the moment they began walking. Jack was a problem solver and a builder, tinkering with mechanics at the earliest age. In earlier years he loved to design, build and race enduro go-karts. He worked in metal sculpture and jewelry. He had an eye for photography, won several photography awards including three best of show awards and was a member of the Photographers of the Parks (Medina County Parks). As Jack and wife Nancy settled in Medina County, he learned to make maple syrup. He spent many a winter hour huddled in the steamy sugar house that he built outside their house. He toiled away making gallons and gallons of maple syrup for family and friends who eagerly awaited their rationing every year at Christmastime. He loved to fish and to go snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area. Jack loved Boy Scouting, was very proud of being an Eagle Scout, and volunteered with Great Trail Council Troop 511 for a number of years until poor health prevented active involvement.
Jack taught everyone around him how to love a curmudgeon and schooled all of his family members in the art of bickering. Conversations with Jack were interesting and lively, full of wisdom and wit. He will be dearly missed.

Jack is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy E Pound; mother-in-law, Delcie R. Pound; brother, Richard Don Heimovics of Overland Park, Kansas; sister, Joan Adeline Heimovics Ferris and brother-in-law, Bruce Ferris of Wichita, Kansas; and brother-in-law, Roger (Dora) Pound of Lisbon, OH; eight cherished nieces and nephews and their spouses; and 11 grand-nieces and -nephews. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by father-in-law, Paul F. Pound and sister-in-law, Catherine Piercy Heimovics.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron, OH 44333 with Pastor Laura Fitt-Baird officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at Billow Funeral Home.
At his request, Jack was cremated. Private burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Jack to: Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, PO Box 68, Akron, OH 44309-0068 or Alzheimer's Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236. For further details, visit the tribute wall at www.billowfuneral homes.com. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)