Jack Marlowe: Writing a legacy for Jackson County
During his 35-year career as a sports editor for the Maquoketa Sentinel-Press, Jack Marlowe wrote more than 2,000 articles covering Maquoketa High School varsity games from 1962 to 1998. He continued writing for his column “Sport Slants” until the summer of 2015, celebrating his community and connecting generations in a way that had never been done before.
“I covered events in sports that people now wouldn’t cover,” says Jack with a smile. “We had a horseshoe pitching league. At one time they even had me submitting little league baseball stories.”
Despite receiving more than 28 media and community awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Newspaper Association in 1999 and a sports complex dedicated in his name at Maquoketa High School, Jack remains humble. “I would never have expected that a farm boy from Maquoketa who did poorly in English would be able to pursue a career in journalism,” he says. “It’s just unbelievable thinking of all the breaks I’ve gotten.”
While exploring ways to give back to his community, Jack was connected with the Community Foundation of Jackson County. “I wanted to know that when I gave the money away, I could be assured that it was going to go to a good place,” he says. “I have no doubts that arranging a gift through the Foundation was the right decision.”
Jack decided to leave a legacy gift in his estate plan that will establish a scholarship fund for Maquoketa students and purchase equipment for the school. It will also support the Community Foundation in its mission of helping individuals throughout Jackson County to make a positive impact on the communities they care about.
“I was an only child,” says Jack “I didn’t get married. I don’t have any children. The community took me in, and I owe them something. The most important thing in my life is this community. They’ve been such good people to me. I want to leave something to help the people who helped me, and also leave something to students to help them achieve their goals.”
Read more stories about the impact we’re making in Jackson County by visiting jacksoncountyfoundation.org.