Jerold Kaminski

Jerold Chester Kaminski or Jack or JC

Born Chicago, IL as the first of his siblings, Robert-deceased, Deborah(Mark), and Donald(Christine). He grew up mostly in Illinois but the family moved to San Jose, California from 1962 to 1966. The family moved back to Chicago and he spent most of his childhood and early adult years in or near Chicago itself. Like his father and brothers, JC would find success through working with his hands as a carpenter, handy man, "honey-do" friend to all. With his roots and most of immediate family residing in Chicago, he moved south in the 1980's to Arlington, TX, where he met his wife and her two sons Jonathan and Aaron. They were married for 11 years before their divorce in 2002, and had a daughter together, named for both of their mothers, Wanda Jean.

JC embraced sobriety after his divorce. He stopped drinking alcohol, maintaining a relationship with his daughter, and continued to remain sober even as she grew up. This became a significant testimony for the both of them to the power of a forgiving, just God and the power of repetition (there are 12 steps-23 years is a long time to go over them).

After his former step-sons grew up, he spent time with his daughter, learning to be a parent for what felt like the first time. By then, JC had spent decades reflecting on his own mistakes as a step-father when he had the chance with Jonathan and Aaron. He prioritized making amends with both Jon and Aaron and ultimately tried to re-establish relationships with his step-sons with their permission. Their bond grew as Jon and Aaron each had children of their own and invited JC to be part of gatherings and holidays alike.

Frequently in attendance, and eventually a long-time member of First Baptist church of Arlington, JC was often volunteering on Sunday mornings in the mid 2010s to "play camera man" for the church. Active in the adult's ministry, he participated in bible studies and brought his daughter, Wanda, to church there on his visitation weekends. They would go on countless excursions with his Sunday school friends-including a road-trip to the Guadalupe river, and an old western-staged "town" privately owned nearby.

JC volunteered his time regularly to Mission Arlington-delivering bicycles, packing thanksgiving boxes, or cleaning warehouses of donations. He is remembered by neighbors for his frequent efforts to keep his side of the street clean and keep up to date on everybody as they passed him outside his house-often while he was dancing or "playing in the garden."

He is survived by his daughter, Wanda Jean, step sons Jon and Aaron, sister Deborah Jagodzinski, and brother Donald Kaminski, nephews Michael (Melissa), Steven and niece Audrey. In addition he was a great uncle to Knox. And loved by many as "uncle jack." There will never be another.