Jack Niel Pyle

Jack Niel Pyle, of Littleton, Colorado went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday evening, September 10, 2018 after a long battle suffering the complications of diabetes. He was 88 years of age.  He passed from this life to the next surrounded by the love and care of his immediate family in his home around 7:00 in the evening MST. Jack was the second-born of a set of twins born on April 9, 1930 to Henry Talmadge and Iva Mae Simpson Pyle at St. Anthony’s hospital in Sabetha, Kansas. His family resided on a farm near Hamlin, Kansas.

Jack loved farming and farmed with his family until he was 26 when he believed God called him to the ministry.  In pursuit of this call, he attended Ottawa University where he met his wife, Glenda Kay Steele Pyle, and they were married on April 20, 1960.  Through the guidance of the Lord and the counsel of his professors at Ottawa, God’s call to ministry was confirmed as a call to teach and mentor children.  As a result, Jack pursued a full-time teaching career. Jack student taught elementary school in Ottawa, Kansas at Garfield Elementary. In January of 1961, he was employed teaching fifth and sixth grades in Paola, Kansas. Fall semester of 1961, he began teaching sixth grade at Wilmot Elementary in Evergreen, Colorado and moved to Bear Creek Elementary to do the same in 1973. He concluded his 40 years of teaching by substituting in the district. Jack had such an impact on his students that he regularly heard from them as adults regarding his unique and special influence on their lives.

Jack had many accomplishments as a teacher.  He was nominated as Teacher of the Year in Colorado a few times, and was listed among the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. For three years in a row, he led his class to win a National Geographic map contest at the county and state levels, making it to nationals each time, and receiving honorable mention the final year.

Additionally, Jack was an avid reader and read aloud regularly to his children around the dinner table, as well as to his classes. Each year he taught, he and his students wrote letters to various authors including Ralph Moody and his mother, Sterling North, Wilson Rawls, and Alan Eckert.  Through many of his teaching strategies, he fostered a love for learning and an appreciation of God’s creation in every life he touched.

Jack also coached and mentored many young boys including his own sons, Kevin and Henry, from little league to high school ages in many sports including football, soccer, basketball, and baseball, and young women in track.  Many of his former team members have continued to stay in touch with him, and even use the coaching tactics they learned under his leadership in their own coaching aspirations.

Jack was, first and foremost a Bible believing Christian who esteemed the Bible as God’s final authority for every aspect of life.  His greatest desire was to glorify God in all things and diligently led his family by these truths. This heart for the Lord, for family, and for other people was regularly displayed through his eager hospitality and welcoming spirit.   He treasured all family, was a lifetime friend to many, and modeled committed, lasting relationships throughout his life.

Other ways  that Jack expressed his love for Christ was by sharing God’s Word through the ministry of Gideon’s International for approximately 20 years distributing bibles to hospitals, hotels, schools, and people in need during his retirement.  During part of this ministry, he served as president of the Columbine chapter of the Gideon’s for the term allowed. He also generously supported many Christian missionaries and ministries throughout his life and has purposed for that ministry to continue even in his death.  His first and foremost passion was for everyone he knew or met to encounter a living and active relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Iva Mae Simpson Pyle, his father, Henry Talmadge Pyle, his oldest brother, Kenneth Pyle, his older sister, Thelma Pyle Scheape, and his younger brother, John Pyle.  His beloved twin sister, JoAnne Pyle McKee of Salina, Kansas survives.

Jack was also preceded in death by three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Glenda Kay Steele Pyle, and by all of their children, Annette (Roger), Kevin (Sharon), Henry (Brenda), and Valerie (Blake).   In addition, Jack is survived by 15 grandchildren, the spouses of those who are married, and 13 great grandchildren.

Please join us for the Celebration Service in honor of Jack on Monday, September, 17, 2018 at Ken Caryl Church 8395 W. Ken Caryl Ave. Littleton, CO  80128. *(10:00 AM Visitation - 11:00 AM Celebration Service followed by a church luncheon for friends and family.) 3:00 PM Internment at Montview Cemetery, Bennett, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:  Gideon’s International Denver Columbine Camp PO Box 1742 Littleton, CO  80150-1742

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