Jackie 'Jack' Altop

Jackie E. ‘Jack’ Altop, age 88, passed away Thursday afternoon, December 24, 2020 at his home in Brown County.

He was born January 14, 1932 in Bean Blossom, to his parents, the late Ray C. ‘Bill’ and Nova L. (Zody) Altop. Jack attended Helmsburg High School and went on to serve as an Airman at the Tachikawa A.F.B. in Japan with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He retired in 1991 from Allison Transmissions in Indianapolis where he worked as an Electrician. Prior to that, he held the same position for 15 years at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus. Jack also worked as a Deputy for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Kritser’s term.   

Jack was a lifetime member of the Brown County Historical Society and the Fruitdale Fire Department. Other memberships include the Nashville Masonic Lodge #135, Bean Blossom Boosters and was the original Commander & President of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Brown County.

He loved to restore classic cars and attend Winston Cup Racing events with his son and grandsons, who were licensed drivers for NASCAR. Jack enjoyed woodworking, making furniture & building houses. He loved the outdoors and found great pleasure being on his lake and feeding his favorite catfish, Herschel. Jack was a fan of Indiana University Basketball and the Indianapolis Colts. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Ruth E. (McDonald) Altop on October 22, 2020, whom he married on October 23, 1993 in Brown County. Jack was also preceded in death by a daughter, Demetria Kelly; grandson, Travis Altop; and siblings, Lois Altop and Ray Altop Jr.

He is survived by his son, Roger (Sonya) Altop of Easley, South Carolina; brother, Donald (Marian) Altop of Brown County; caregivers, Scott & Letitia Lucas of Brown County; grandchildren, Michael, Jamie and Kayla Altop, all of South Carolina and Ty & Taylor Altop, both of Brown County; and several great grandchildren.         

The Rev. Darrel Miller will conduct a graveside service on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Weeping Willow Cemetery in Bean Blossom. Military honors will be presented by the United States Air Force and the Brown County Honor Guard. Funeral services have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.

Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Jack to the Brown County Parks and Rec, PO Box 299 Nashville, IN 47448.

Condolences may be made to the Altop family at www.meredith-clark.com.

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