6/9/1932 - 4/30/2017
Lawrence "Jack" Imel
"of Lawrence Welk fame"
Peacefully passed from
this world on 04/30/2017, at the age of 84. He is survived by Norma, his
wife of 64 years as well as two Son's Gregory and Timothy (Sally) and two
daughters Debra Charton (Edward) and Cynthia Buttner, as well as 12
grandchildren and 10 (soon to be 11) great grandchildren. He is preceded in
death by his son Terrance.
Jack was born to Jennings and Opel in
Portland, Indiana on June 9, 1932. Jack began taking dance lessons at age 4
and took up the marimba at age 9. By the time he was 12, he was performing
locally.
After graduating from Portland High School, he attended
Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music in Indianapolis, then landed a job with
the Horace Heidt Band. In 1952, Jack married his High School sweetheart,
Norma Jean Denney and in that same year, enlisted in the Navy. Jack went on
to win the all-Navy talent contest in 1955 and 1956.
In 1957, while
being stationed in San Diego and with two weeks until his discharge, Jack
mailed an audition record to Lawrence Welk. Almost immediately Jack received
a call from a representative of Welk, inviting him to the Aragon Ballroom in
Santa Monica, California for an audition. Jack set up his marimba and with
Mr. Welk watching he tore into his act. Mr. Welk's eyes widened when Jack
jumped over the marimba at the conclusion of his act. After the audition,
Mr. Welk invited him to join the show. For the next 25 years Jack was not
only a featured member of the show, but the associate producer as well. Jack
was always proud that he was from Portland Indiana and when Mr. Welk asked
him how he wanted to be introduced, Jack just said introduce me as "Jack
Imel from Portland, Indiana". Sometimes when Jack would do his dance
routines, he had "Portland" put on the background props. It was his way of
saying hello to the folks back home.
After the show ended in 1982,
Jack continued to perform, working on cruise ships and traveling the world
with Norma. He also performed in Branson, Missouri at the Lawrence Welk
Theater as a featured member of the cast.
In 2002, Jack and Norma
retired to Porterville, California. While living in Porterville, they made
many friends and Jack Joined The Lions Club.
Jack was all things
Indiana. Although he lived in California, his heart was in Indiana. For a
very long time, Jack had the Portland Paper delivered to him in California.
Jack loved to follow the High School sports teams, as well as Indiana
University (IU). He was also a member of the Portland Historical Society. He
was proud to be a Hoosier!
Jack was a proud member of the Lions Club,
a life member of the Loyal order of the Moose, and a life member of the Elks
(BPOE).
Although Jack was an outstanding entertainer, he was a better
Father. He truly loved his children, his grandchildren, and his great
grandchildren. He was a "good man". He is now with his son Terrance who will
be his guide in heaven.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 12
-2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 402 N. Ship St., Portland.
Services will follow at 2:00 pm on Wednesday at the First Presbyterian
Church 402 North ship street, Portland. Jack will be interned at Green Park
Cemetery 928 North Franklin Street, Portland.
Williamson
& Spencer Funeral Home; 05/03/17
Contributed by Jim Cox
Buried in Green Park Cemetery