Biography: John Iden “Jack” Fleischauer, Jr., loving father and one of Arkansas’s most admired financial executives, died July 26, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 59. Jack was home during his last days, surrounded by family, friends, and his children. Jack was born in Little Rock on Nov. 11, 1948. He attended schools in Little Rock, graduating from Hall High School in 1966. Jack attended the University of Central Arkansas before transferring to Arkansas State University where he graduated in 1970. He also attended The School of Bank Marketing at the University of Colorado and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Jack had an impressive career in banking and the financial industry, encompassing 35 years. He began as an entry-level loan collector for Worthen Bank and Trust Company in 1972, being named Assistant Vice President less than four years later. His ambition and charm would later help him rise to the ranks of President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to Worthen Bank, the list of financial institutions in which Jack held executive positions reads like a contemporary history of banking in Arkansas. Among them: FABCO; National Bank of Commerce of Pine Bluff; Peoples Bank and Trust of Russellville; and First Commercial Bank. At the height of his career, Jack was honored to serve Regions Financial Corporation from 1999 until his retirement in February. Jack was President of the Western Region, managing financial operations in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Western Tennessee. As a professional, Jack made many friends and helped countless people—especially many young talents whom Jack took great pleasure in mentoring—in the hope of bettering the community, the state, and the region. Jack’s dedication to his work was unmatched, but it was his smile, his grace, and his humility that both advanced and defined his career. In recognition of his career, Jack was proud to receive the Distinguished Alumni of ASU award from both the University and the School of Business. He often joked that if his professors at the time had known he would receive it, they’d have thought it just part of an elaborate prank. Jack was always conscious of his social responsibility, serving countless non-profit organizations and receiving numerous awards for his community service. He was United Way Campaign Chairman in numerous cities; a member of the Boards and Executive Committees of the Chambers of Commerce in Greater Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Russellville; a host of several charitable MS-150 bicycle races; a youth sports coach; and a volunteer to Easter Seals and the Southeast Arkansas Arts Center. The list could go on but would never be complete without mentioning his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. Jack was a loyal Eagle Scout, served the Boy Scout Executive Board, and especially treasured the Silver Beaver award he received for his lifelong involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. As a young Boy Scout, Jack fell in love with the simplicity and splendor of the Arkansas outdoors. It was an appreciation he carried for the rest of his life, enjoying a wide range of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, and canoeing the Buffalo River with his children. Jack became an avid cyclist in recent years and enjoyed participating in local bike races, even while receiving chemotherapy treatments. His strength and determination were apparent in these feats as well as his sheer, natural athleticism. When not participating, Jack was a great sports fan and was an avid supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, Arkansas Razorbacks and his alma mater, ASU. He was also one of the founders of the King Cotton Holiday Classic in Pine Bluff. Above all, Jack enjoyed the wilderness of his beloved retreat atop Petit Jean Mountain. There, with his dump truck, “Big Blue,” and an army of chainsaws, Jack maintained what has been proclaimed by all fortunate enough to have seen it as the most beautiful piece of land in Arkansas. Jack’s greatest pride was his family. He credited his successes to his late father, John Iden Fleischauer, Sr., who he called his best friend, mentor, and the best man he has ever known. Jack loved his children above all else and was especially close to them. He was often seen in the company of his daughters, Jennifer and Laura, who call Jack the best man they have ever known. Their incalculable grief is eased only the memory of his warm smile and shining blue eyes. Throughout all aspects of his life—as a father, a friend, and a leader—Jack believed his time in the Boy Scouts was the key to his success. He called the Scouts a brotherhood of cheerful service, and he closely followed the 12 points of Scout Law, which says a scout must be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. There is no better description of Jack Fleischauer himself, a man who gave us everything he could, but not, unfortunately, more time. Jack was preceded in death by his father, Jack Fleischauer, Sr., and one uncle, George Fleischauer. He is survived by his three children, Jennifer Eva Marie Fleischauer, Laura Ashley Fleischauer, and Robert Lawrence Fleischauer; his mother, Alyce Fleischauer; sisters Louise (Ray) Ingram and her children James and Matthew, and Georgia Fleischauer and her children Amy, Benjamin and Kelli; and the mother of his children, Cecilia Anne Kelso and her husband, Drew Kelso. He is survived also by aunts and uncles, Jean and Leon Hoffman, Helen Halliburton, Horace Duncan, Anna Laurie Dooley, and Trema Fleischauer; first cousins, Jeanie (Jay) Barron, Donna (Dan) Peterson, Mary Jane (Jim) Schuping, David (Annette) Duncan, and Helen (David) Katz; and second cousins, Chris McCants, Lauren McCants, Tim (Kelly) Hoffman, Darcie Harvell, Kyle Harvell, Charlie (Terri) Daniel, David (Natasha) Daniel, Elizabeth (Brian) Harvey, Kathleen (Dan) Wilkins, Julie Duncan, and Ashley Duncan. Jack and his family extend special gratitude to the wonderful doctors and nurses who supported us throughout this difficult time: Dr. Dean Kumpruis, Dr. Drew Kumpuris, and Dr. Reed Edwards; our steadfast nurses, Sommer, Annie, Loretta, Jackie, Kathleen, Betty, Sonya, and Roger; and all the wonderful people of St. Vincent’s Memorial Hospital and Arkansas Hospice. Your good work inspires us all. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 29 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests that donations be made to the Quapaw Council, Boy Scouts of America in Little Rock, 3220 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72202; 501-664-4780 (800-545-726) or to P.A.R.K., 6915 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, AR 72209; 501-562-5223. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.