Jack Emory Dials of Wheelersburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on March 6,
2026, at the age of 89. He was born on September 10, 1936, to Jack (Pearl Jackson) Dials and Hattie Kitchen Dials in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Hattie Dials; his son, Richard Wayne Dials; his grandson, David Michael Vastine; and his siblings, Glenn Dials, Bob Dials, and Bonnie Dials Kinker. Jack is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marjorie Irene Elliott Dials; his daughters, Susan Dials Horner (Thomas) and Angela Dials Vastine (David. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Jessica Horner Powell (Ryan), Thomas Justin Horner (Corina), Lisa Dials Rase (Ryan), Jacqueline Christine Dials, and Victoria Vastine Huffman (Justin); and five great grandchildren, Evelyn Powell, Emory Powell, Elinor Powell, Elijah Powell, and Ethan Rase; as well as many special nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Betty Boggs Dials (Glenn) and Marylou Bentley Dials (Bob) and brother-in-law, Harry Kinker (Bonnie).
Jack grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio, with his brothers, Glenn and Bob, and sister Bonnie.
He was an "east ender" and attended school at Wilson Elementary, Grant Junior High,
and graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1956. He loved playing football for the
Grant Generals and the Portsmouth Trojans and his glory days football stories were a
favorite of his family. Following high school, he attended Morehead State University.
Much of his youth was spent at Dreamland Pool. It was there that he perfected his triple
gainer with a double twist and worked as a lifeguard. In adulthood as a Dad, he would
amaze his kids with his extreme diving board skills. We thought he was Superman.
Handsome and athletic with a quick and sparkling smile, it is no wonder he caught
Margie's eye during their courtship.
Any mention of swimming always brought up stories of swimming in the Ohio River and
the reaction of his mother when she caught him. Hattie was not to be trifled with and was serious about her boys not swimming in the river. It was a long walk home, and she
made sure he remembered it vividly as she swatted him with a switch, naked and
dripping, all the way home.
There was a weekend in 1956 that changed Jack's future path. He did not see it coming
but when he saw and met Marjorie Elliott of Friendship, Ohio, he knew they would
become more than friends. And that is just what happened. On April 13, 1957, Jack
Emory Dials and Marjorie Irene Elliott became husband and wife. The impact of this quiet little moment in the small Indiana town had changed the course of history for
generations to come.
Jack was a member of Central Church of Christ in Portsmouth, Ohio. H e and Marjorie
answered the call to holy baptism in obedience to Christ's commandment to his
disciples. They were active in various Church groups and children's programs during
their early years and never abandoned their faith over their lifetimes.
The shoe industry was booming in Portsmouth in the 1950's and 60's and Jack (Little
Jack) worked with his dad, Pearl (Big Jack) the shipping dock and on the manufacturing line of Williams/Selby Shoes. In 1965, Little Jack started a new career path when he completed a course in welding fabrication and technology at Ashland State Technical School in Ashland, Kentucky. He started work at Wayne Pump in West Virginia
and Speck Welding in Portsmouth, as a welding fabricator from 1965 to 1968. Always
looking to provide the best living for his young family, he worked at Empire Detroit Steel,
1968-1978 as an ironworker/maintenance mechanic/welder. The New Boston Steel Mill
shuttered its doors in 1978, and Jack joined the Plumbers, Pipe & Steamfitters Labor
Union, initially in Springfield, Ohio, and later transferred to the Local 577 at Portsmouth,
Ohio. The Pipefitters took him all over the tri-state area, working at power and chemical
plants. Sometimes he was able to stay local as work projects became available. He was
an avid union member and believed in the value unions provide to all workers as
advocates for fair wages and improved health and safety standards. Jack was a 43 year
Pipefitter and maintained his Union Membership to the end of his life. He was also a member of Carpenters Local 437 Labor Union.
In his lifetime, Jack embraced and lived the principles of Freemasonry and achieved his
personal milestone of the 32nd Degree in his Journey within the Scottish Rite Branch of
Freemasonry. This was a natural conclusion to his lifelong dedication and completion of
the three Blue Lodges of Freemasonry- Entered Apprentice, Freecraft, and Master
Mason.
Jack was a loyal and dedicated husband and father. He instilled in his children the value
of integrity and hard work by example. Although, his adult children loved to remind him
of his famous statement, "Do as I say and not as I do." Nothing doing, Dad. You always
set the bar high for yourself and expected the same of us. We are sorry when we
disappointed you but you would never let on, if that was the case, and were always there to cheer us on no matter what.
Our dad had a sharp wit and was a master of sarcasm. This created so much
opportunity for frequent verbal banter as each tried to outdo the other with puns and silly
jokes. We could never quite get the edge on him, though, Dad was the king of witticism.
March 6, 2026, 10:17 a.m.
This is the moment our dad left us. The moment mom relinquished her husband and life
partner to his heavenly home. Outside, the day was bright and blue and sunny as if the
gates of Eternity had leaked out a little extra glory as Dad's spirit ascended.
He did not want to go because it would mean leaving mom behind. 69 of his 89 years on this earth, dedicated to loving, protecting, partnering, caring for and providing for her
was a role he chose all those years ago. And he never wavered. And he was not going to leave without a fight. So, Fight he did, until there was no more fighting to be done.
At 10:17 a.m., March 6, 2026, cradled in the arms of his lifetime love, our dad took his last breath in his earthly body. And immediately in this process, he left behind pain and
suffering. This knowledge is where we will find comfort.
Eventually.
After we grieve.
As Christians, we are celebrating because we know and believe that dad is in Heaven
with Jesus. Yes, we truly know this. But we are human too, and it is that part that wants
to know, when does the hurt of grief stop? And do we ever really want it to? Because maybe a great love requires a great big grief, one that really hurts deeply.
Until it doesn't.
And then we can begin to believe the comforting thoughts, the realities that we tried so
nard to cling to but just couldn't quite get there. We mourn the void created by the loss of our dad, our husband, our grandpa, our friend. All the things that he was to us. He is now whole again and with Jesus. We will all be united one day. No mourning, no grief, no pain. Just pure and complete joy.
"Glad day, glorious day, glad day, wonderful day, there with all the the holy angels and
loved ones to stay, what a glad reunion day!
A special thank you has to be included for Dad's incredible care team at Professional
Case Management. Their compassionate care and kindness for Dad and our family has
been beyond measure. You all will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Special appreciation to the SOMC Hospice Team for their commitment to excellence and the dedicated team assembled so quickly for dad. You all have been amazing, each and every person, thank you.
Arrangements are with The Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home on March 9, 2026, with
Visitation from 11:00 to 1:00, and memorial service following. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Franklin Furnace, Ohio.
Omission of flowers is requested. Any Memorial contributions can be made to the SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662.
