Jack was born to Dr. John and Joy Ehrke on July 4, 1930, on the home place in the Salt Creek area, Brown County, Texas. He married Gaenell Stewart on May 22, 1952. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage before Gaenell passed away in 2021. Their marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverend S.L. Yeilding.

Jack started his education at Owens School, which had grades one through eight. After the eighth grade he continued his schooling in May ISD where he met his future wife. While attending May High School he was well known for his very aggressive football skills.

Jack continued his education at Texas Chiropractic College in San Antonio, Texas. This college later was moved to Pasadena, Texas. He obtained his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1950. After graduation he returned to Brownwood and started his practice in the established office of his father, Dr. John Ehrke. Later the office expanded to include his son, Dr. Larry Ehrke, and son-in-law, Dr. Tommy Teal. The family office was first located on an upper floor of the First National Bank building on Center Avenue and later was moved to 203 North Center. His chiropractic practice spanned 47 years. Jack loved his patients and enjoyed improving their health and developing relationships with them and their families. In the early days of his practice there were numerous late night “calls” to patient’s homes and knocks at their family home from patients seeking treatment. When his children were involved in sports, he was asked many times to assist an injured player.

Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He attended innumerable athletic activities of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He served on the May ISD School Board the entire time his children were in school. He loved his family and enjoyed the large family holiday celebrations they hosted.

Jack loved the family land where he was born and raised. The land has been in the family for over one hundred years. In the early days he worked side by side with his father raising cattle and producing wheat, oats, and different varieties of hay. Later his sons joined him in working on the family farm and eventually took over the enterprise. He loved the cattle and in later years enjoyed watching his son’s cattle grazing in the pasture near his home. Jack and Gaenell spent many hours working in their beautiful flower beds and lawn. They walked morning and evening around their farm in the Salt Creek area with their dog “Lady” and sometimes a cat or two.

Jack was a lifelong member of Salt Creek Baptist Church and regularly active in all aspects of church life. He taught the Senior Adult Sunday School Class just like his father before him and served on numerous church committees. He was a deacon for this church body for many years. Jack had an unwavering love for his Lord and Savior and a deep love for this church and the church body. He had a deep desire to serve God in faithfulness.

Jack loved to travel. He and Gaenell enjoyed many trips to different locations around the world. He never met a stranger and made friends on these trips that lasted a lifetime.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Jackie Stansbury and husband Tommy of Santa Anna; son, Howard Ehrke and wife Burna; daughter, Connie Teal and husband Tommy; daughter-in-law, Judy Ehrke all of the Salt Creek area. Jack is also survived by 9 grandchildren:

John Ehrke and wife Brittany of Abilene, Kay Gibbs and husband Chris of Austin, Missy Lunn and husband Ethan of Dallas, Eric McNeese and wife Sarah of Stephenville, Brenda Cartwright of Kyle, Bryan Craig of Sulphur Springs, Brandon Craig and wife Tiffany of Haslet, Brigitte Stegemoller and husband Jeremy of Brownwood, Brandye Chandler and husband Vance of Brownwood. Jack is also survived by 18 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren with two more scheduled to arrive in May. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Joy Ehrke; son Larry Ehrke; father and mother-in-law, John and Dollie Stewart; brother John Ehrke Jr.; sisters, Linda Lewis and husband James, Coleta Heard and husband Mack; great grandson, Benjamin Craig; nieces, Virginia Johnson, Kerry Lilley.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Narendra Nigalye and his staff for their many years of compassionate, high quality health care for Jack. The family would also like to thank Brownwood Nursing and Rehabilitation, Interim Hospice and the doctors, nurses and staff at Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood for the gentleness, respect and compassion exhibited for Jack and his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Salt Creek Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3349, Early, Texas 76803.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net