Service Details
In accordance with Jack’s wishes, a private family celebration will take place at a future date.
Racine – John “Jack” Leroy Atkinson, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 11, 2025, surrounded with the love of his family.
A lifetime resident, Jack was born in Racine on November 10, 1940 to the late William S. Atkinson and Lucille A. (nee: Fritchen) Atkinson. He was a graduate of William Horlick High School. On November 7, 2012 he was united in marriage with Cindy Gale. Jack had been employed with WE Energies, owned / operated Action Air Heating & Cooling, and finished his working years at the United States Post Office.
Among his interests, he enjoyed fishing, horse racing and greyhound racing. Above all, he adored his wife and was so very proud of his four daughters.
Surviving are his loving wife, Cindy Gale; daughters, Tammi (James) Charnon, Cori (Robert) Hanus, Kelli (Chad) Stahl and Traci (Paul) Trimberger; many dear grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Penny Atkinson and Marsha Jewel; nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Billy Atkinson; sister, Janice Bergstrom; and former wife, Sandra (nee: Rognsvoog) Atkinson.
In accordance with Jack’s wishes, a private family celebration will take place at a future date.
A special note of thanks to Aurora at Home Hospice, Willowbrook Rehab. Center and Froedtert Physical Therapy for their compassionate care and support given in Jack’s time of need.
Traci Trimberger says
You re missed already! I will miss doing puzzles with you and how you would tap each Piece you got in three times. I will miss the amazing dances we shared and you being such a great dancer. I will miss all of your nik names for everyone. I will miss your bon fires. I will miss the way you used to whistle when you can home from work I will miss bickering with you.I will miss our road trips. I will even miss trying to “explain” your awesome sense of humor after you say something “witty”. I will miss “speaking, Jack”. I love you so very much Dad! I am proud to be one of yours!
Jamie Lynn Herron says
Uncle Jack was a man of few words, but when he spoke you heard him, but his actions SPOKE volumes. Never a doubt that he loved his family! Beneath his gruff exterior was a heart full of love and care, even if he didn’t always show it openly. I will always cherish the moments we shared and the lessons he taught me, often in his own unique way. Growing up he was the uncle who left a mark in your life because if he wasn’t scolding me about how I could do better, he was showing me tips and tricks to betting on dogs. Uncle Jack and Aunt Sandi I believe at times were in competition on how many wins they could accomplish through my betting…LOL!! Those days with them and my parents are memories that will live within me forever! My papa just loved his older brother; he knew him all too well and he knew how to handle him which was always a hoot to witness. Who could growl the loudest is what I used to say! Growing up as I said he was the gruff uncle you knew to stay left when he was walking towards you but as I have matured in my adult years it has been truly a blessing to be part of watching how he absolutely adored and loved his wife, Cindy. These last years have shown me a heart of a great man worth knowing! Uncle Jack your love was quiet but steadfast, and I feel so blessed to have been part of your life. Rest in peace, Uncle Jack… tell my papa I love him and miss him! You will be deeply missed.”
Traci Jansen says
Jack Atkinson was a great man who accomplished much through life! His most cherished are his four beautiful daughters! I have been blessed to call Tammi my bff since the first day of kindergarten! My prayers go out to the family! But know he is back home in heaven no longer in pain!
Cindy Gale-Atkinson says
Jack is the love of my life,my best friend, I will love and cherish him forever. Miss you , your loving wife Cindy
Love you
Anonymous says
I’ve waited til now to share my thoughts. Jack was as everybody who knew him could be a grumpy man – and at the same time a heart of gold. It is probably not widely known, but he was responsible for saving my sons life. So how do I feel about his passing – he of course, will be missed, but I must admit I am pretty numb. So many gone too soon! My love and heart goes out to all of his family.
Leslie ann Capek says
This is for my good friend Cindy, who has now lost the true love of her life, Jack. Oh so many memories dating back to the opening of Dairyland dog track, the house fire on Browns lake, the flood at Silver Lake, the Packer game with our dads and who could forget the Kentucky Derby win celebrating at the Roadhouse! All the memories, while age was sneaking up on us like bad underwear. Jack was the classic example of what it meant to be “Rugged Beauty”. A very handsome man, who on the outside could flair a temper, but he would work so hard that it physically beat him up. If a friend or family member needed help, regardless of pain, Jack pushed. Remembering that Cindy, you were by his side. All in all Jack was really very “gooie” on the inside. Jack knew he could always depend on Cindy for the strength, support and loving care that he was going to be needing no matter what it would be. There are no short cuts on grief. So when the time is wright, we will Key and Wheel your numbers Jack!
Marsha Glae Jewell Kentucky says
What do I remember about Jack and the relationship I had with my brother in law.
.Jack was very cleaver and a jokester and tease. When visiting I would have to be on my A game and be able to shoot back at him. It took me about a day to get back in the grove and he kept me on my toes.
Jack liked to gamble. If he wasn’t going in person to a dog race or a horserace he watched them on television on the weekends. He liked the casino and card draw at Chris’s each week. He would play on his phone every day and you knew when it was 8:00 he would yell “Cindy, are you in yet?”
Jack loved jig saw puzzles and would work on them for hours and days. You always knew when he dropped a piece on the floor because of his loud outburst. At first I thought something was wrong, maybe he fell, but I got used to these outbursts coming from downstairs.
Give Jack some firewood and he would be busy for hours at a time but never put garbage in the pit, just wood, newspapers and junk mail because he hated having to shovel out the bottom of the pit.
Jack wouldn’t play Dominoes with me or my sisters because he said we changed the rules every time he played. This was true because we never learned the rules and couldn’t remember how we played the game the time before.
I think Jack’s favorite snacks was popcorn, Bing cherries and his ice cream bar before bed. He always complained Cindy put too much food on his plate unless it was dessert which his response would be “that’s it?”
Jack always acted the “tough” guy, a man’s man but I do think he liked me and I loved him. He depended on my sister Cindy and she doted on him. He couldn’t have had a better Companion and Caregiver. I believe he knew he had it good even tho he didn’t say as much. Cindy and Jacks’ daughters, I’m sorry for your loss. Life will never be the same but Jack won’t be forgotten and forever in our hearts.
Your loving sister in law,
Marsha