Mr. Jack Bass Jr., age 65, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Sunday morning, March 19, 2017 at Baptist Medical Center-Nassau.Born in Jacksonville, FL, he was the eldest of two boys and two girls born to the late Jack Bass Sr. and Juanita �Dot� Lockler Bass. Jack�s family lived on the Northside of Jacksonville where he graduated from Ribault High School, Class of 1969. After high school he worked for a short time at Terminal Bag in Yulee and Hardaway Construction Company. In 1973 he enrolled at the Police Academy and began a career that spanned over 35 years in Law Enforcement. Upon graduation from the Academy he joined and worked with the Fernandina Beach Police Department from where he retired in 2002. He then joined the Nassau County Sheriff�s Department where he continued to serve the citizens of Nassau County until he retired as a Detective in 2010. Jack has served as a Commissioner on the Amelia Island Mosquito Control Board for approximately 15 years, was past Chairman of the Nassau County Republican Party and past President of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. Jack had played softball with the City Recreation Department, enjoyed surf fishing, collecting shark�s teeth, riding his Harley Davidson Road King, camping and vacationing in the mountains with his sister, Ellen, and her family. Jack and his family were members of the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach where he served as a Deacon, taught Sunday School and sang in the adult choir. Jack was passionate about law enforcement, politics, and the Gators and Jaguars football. Anyone who knew Jack Bass knows how much he enjoyed a good conversation. More than anything in the world, Jack treasured GOD and his beloved family and the time he spent with them. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, John Thomas Bass, who passed away in 2007.
Jack leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Suzanne Shiver Ryals Bass, Fernandina Beach, children, Joshua Isaac Ryals, Nevada, MO, Laura Brooke Ryals Walker (BJ), Yulee, FL, Brandi Fouche Mooneyhan (Ryan), Pea Ridge, AR, Jack �Trey� Bass III (Katelyn), Charlotte, NC, sisters, Ellen Wiggins (Wayne), Yulee, FL, and Rebecca Faircloth, Yulee, FL, and six grandchildren (who call him �Big Poppa�) and several nieces and nephews. His schnauzers, Lumiere and Maurice, will greatly miss him. In addition, he leaves behind his beloved maternal aunt, Blanche Cooper.
A celebration of Jack�s life will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach with Reverend Jeff Overton, officiating.
Jack will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, at the church, from 10:00 AM until the hour of service .