Jack F. Frost, 78, of Fox Lake and St. James City, FL, unexpectedly passed away Monday, December 21, 2020, at Northwestern McHenry Hospital. He was born October 22, 1942, in Chicago, to the late Carl and Lucille (nee Peters) Frost.
Jack attended Gavin Grade School, graduated from Big Hollow Grade School, and was a 1961 graduate of Grant Community High School. He went on to work at Ralph H. Simpson in Chicago where his father and grandfather both started their steel-fabricator careers. In 1973, wanting to be closer to home, Jack established his own steel fabrication business, Jack Frost Ironworks. He was a hard worker who shared his knowledge of the steel business with his family. Jack ran this successful business for 35 years along with his wife, Diane “Dee”, then with his brother, Gregory Frost, Sr., and later in life, with his daughters and son-in-law.
While running the business, Jack was involved with the Lake County Contractors, Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce, Grant Township Little League, and also served as Secretary/Treasurer and President of the Fox Lake Fire Protection District Board.
Jack not only worked hard, he also played hard and enjoyed every moment he spent with family and friends. His passions were boating, fishing, and golfing—and he shared this love with Dee and their family. After retirement, his joy was spending five days a week golfing at Chapel Hill and Boone Creek. He was the proud captain to his Tiara yachts (five over the years) named “Jack’s DeeTour” and captain to his two pontoon boats “Red Solo Cup North” and “Red Solo Cup South.” If you ever cruised along with Jack, we’re sure Jimmy Buffett or a country-mix CD was on. Jack was an active member in the Pine Island and St. James City Boat Clubs.
Jack was an active member on Pine Island, FL with the Sons of the American Legion Post 136, Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge 2781, Pine Island Moose Lodge 1954, and the Calusa Land Trust. He loved to volunteer with Dee for these amazing organizations.
His Pine Island, Florida group of friends enjoyed their Friday night cocktail parties, rotating homes each week where they spent many hours laughing and telling stories. Jack’s stories always had, “so I turned around,” in each sentence (those of you who ever heard a Jack story will know what we mean).
One of Jack’s and Dee’s passions was travel. Over the years, they’ve had the opportunity to visit over 48 different countries. Jack loved that he was also able to travel with his children and grandchildren and they went on many adventures together. A couple of his favorite adventures were cruising the Caribbean with his family for his and Dee’s 50th anniversary, cruising the Mediterranean, and taking an Alaskan cruise with the family.
Survivors include his loving wife and companion of 57 years, Dee (nee Cerny); daughters, Deborah (Keith) Olsen and Jacque (Jim) Spohr; grandchildren, Garrett (Katelyn) Olsen, Delanie (Mike Dochelli) Olsen, Austin (Daniella) Spohr, and Brent (Kara) Spohr; great-grandchildren, Riley Olsen and Shaylee and Scarlett Spohr; brothers, Greg, Brad, and Carl Jr. Frost; and many beloved family members, extended family, and wonderful friends.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by brothers, Craig and Michael Frost.
Jack’s family said their goodbyes in a private viewing December 23, 2020. The family will have celebrations of Jack’s life in Illinois and Florida, at later dates.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church (please note debt reduction), 25519 W. IL Rte. 134, Ingleside, IL 60041, or the Fox Lake Fire Protection District Memorial Fund, PO Box 237, Ingleside, IL 60041-0237, appreciated.