John Walter "Jack" Deck

John Walter “Jack” Deck, 81, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, following a courageous five-year battle with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare neurological disease.

Born in St. Louis, Jack was the son of Edward and Mildred Deck and the younger brother of William “Bill” Deck. He attended St. Jerome Grade School, Christian Brothers College High School (CBC), and Saint Louis University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.

Jack built a successful career spanning technology, recruiting, and business leadership. His superpower was building meaningful and lasting relationships. Long before social media, Jack was the human version of LinkedIn. He connected people, opened doors, and helped countless others find opportunities and success in their careers.

Outside of work, Jack treasured his friendships, many of which spanned decades. He maintained close ties with his CBC classmates, Anheuser-Busch colleagues, the infamous Misfits, and many others who became part of his life. His warmth, humor, and easygoing nature made him someone people genuinely enjoyed being around… “everybody liked Jack.” An accomplished soccer player in his younger years, Jack later gave back to the game as a successful youth soccer coach. He also enjoyed golf, puttering around the house and yard, working on puzzles, and creating his famous steppingstones, which so many will cherish in his memory.

Jack had a special passion for helping the underdog. He volunteered at the St. Augustine Wellston Center and rarely made it through a St. Jude commercial without a tear in his eye. As a mentor, coach, and friend, he was deeply committed to giving others opportunities and took genuine pride in watching them succeed.

Above all, Jack valued his family. He and his beloved wife, Patty, shared 39 years of marriage, building a large and loving blended family that became his greatest legacy. Known as Papa Jack, that family grew to include seven children, their spouses, 19 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Jack is survived by his wife, Patty Deck; his sister-in-law, Rita Salain; and his children: Chris Deck and Melissa Scolaro, Tim and Liz Deck, David and Julie Deck, Kevin and Donna Deck, Shane Riley, Molly Riley, and Meghan and Eric Fritsche. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mildred Deck, and his brother, Bill Deck.

Services: Visitation will be held at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, MO 63011 on November 19, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Friendship Village Chesterfield, 15201 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO 63017 on November 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Parking at Friendship Village is limited, so guests are encouraged to carpool when possible.

Memorial contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jack’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Friendship Foundation Hospice Program, 12563 Village Circle Dr, Sunset Hills, MO 63127.

Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.