Jackie K. Bubenik

Jackie K. Bubenik, age 75 and a resident of Wichita, formerly of Tulsa, passed away into the arms of Jesus after a prolonged illness called Primary Progressive Aphasia on March 12, 2018. Although he enjoyed great health, this insidious disease struck him when he was in his late 50s. His once-great brain has been sent to Northwestern University in Chicago where they are studying this disease state. Jackie was born in Victoria, TX July 28, 1942, and was raised with 8 siblings. In his youth, he worked as a migrant worker with the family, picking cotton. He married Sharron, the love of his life, on December 9, 1961 after he joined the US Navy to serve our nation during the Vietnam War as a Corpsman. He honorably serviced our nation for 10 years. Jackie attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX and obtained a degree in Landscape Architecture and an MS in Park Administration. In 1974, he accepted a job as the first Director of the River Parks Authority until his retirement in 2003. There he helped to create the vast park system the City of Tulsa enjoys. While in that capacity, he earned awards from the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Officers, and he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the National Recreation and Park Association. In 1999, he became the first Fellow Landscape Architect from the State of Oklahoma, the highest honor the ASLA bestows on members for exceptional accomplishments. Jackie had a passion for many varieties of art, dabbling throughout his life in oil painting, macram, stained glass work, but woodworking was the main focus of his enjoyment, and he made many beautiful toys and furniture pieces for his family. Our family was even more blessed, as he was one of those people who could repair anything, mechanical or otherwise. Additionally, Jackie especially enjoyed sailing on Grand Lake, having built a home near Drowning Creek where he retreated for over 25 years. Jackie lived his life as a man very devoted to God, often attending daily Mass and spending early morning hours in Adoration. He was the epitome of love, generosity and kindness, especially to strangers. Sharron and his children were witness to the many stops he made to help stranded motorists! Heaven has reaped a mighty soul from The Church Militant. Jackie was preceded in death by his parents, Aldrich and Clara; his sister, Rita; his brother, Bobbie; and sister, Barbara Bridges. Jackie is survived by his wife, Sharron; his son, Jackie II (Tricia); daughter, Lisa; granddaughters, Megan (Greg) and Lindsey (Josh); seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Dickie, Kirby, and Ernie; sisters, Betty and Phyllis. Services will be held at Church of Saint Mary, Tulsa, OK, on Monday, March 26, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, our familys memorial request is to have Masses said for Jackie, or a charitable donation made to Catholic Charities, 437 N. Topeka, St., Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.