Jack Walter Best, 89, a retired newspaper controller for the A.H. Belo Corp., passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Arlington.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Arlington. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, Aldersgate Class or the Arlington Kiwanis Foundation Inc.
Jack was born Aug. 30, 1920, in Indianapolis, Ind., in a little house on Hindley Avenue. He graduated from Butler University. Jack's business career included working for the U.S. Treasury Department and the Palladium Item, a daily newspaper in Richmond, Ind. In 1964 he and his family moved to Arlington where he became controller for the A.H. Belo Corp. He retired from A.H. Belo in 1984. Jack was active in the International Newspaper Controller and Finance Officers and served as president from 1963 to 1964. He was an emeritus life associate of the Institute of Management Accountants.

Jack had been a Kiwanian since 1956. He served in several leadership positions over the years, including president, treasurer and Lieutenant Governor of Division 39 of the Texas-Oklahoma District.

As a dedicated member of First United Methodist Church of Arlington for 45 years, Jack served on the official board and was president of the Aldersgate Sunday School Class. Jack was also a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

"God granted me a wonderful life with my dear wife Nell and family. What more could a man ask for?"
He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Best.

Survivors: Beloved wife of 65 years, Nell; children, Sally and Jim Coffman, Nancy Best, Judy and Dan Phillips; and grandchildren, Lindsey, Christopher, Scott and Lisa.