Jack ‘Jackie’ Brinckmeyer

Lion PDG Jack (Jackie) Brinckmeyer, 88, of Rehoboth Beach and Harbeson, Dela., died Aug. 4, 2019. He was born Dec. 12, 1930, at the home of his parents Walter (Jack) and Zalpha Brinckmeyer of Loyal.

Jack graduated from Loyal High

School in May 1948.

He enrolled at Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State University) the following fall and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1956 after serving in the United States Army from 1953-1955.

To the end, Jack was a loyal OSU alumnus and proud supporter of the university’s athletic program.

Jack married Guyla Lee Grabow on March 14, 1952, at the Loyal Evangelical and Reformed Church in Loyal.  

They first met in 1948 when Guyla was recruited from the underclasswomen to be in the senior class high school play. Jack and Guyla were best friends and sweethearts for 71 years.  

For 30 years, Jack served as a special investigator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Packers and Stockyards Division.

In addition to his work with the USDA, he and his wife owned and operated the The Drift Inn, a bed and breakfast in Rehoboth Beach, Dela.  Since 1977, Jack and Guyla hosted many guests, friends, and family.  

Jack was a longtime Boy Scout leader and leader in his faith community. He was a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach, where he was an ordained ruling elder and deacon, serving on Session and other church committees. He was also a dedicated member of the Rehoboth Beach Lions Clubs. He was elected president of the club on several occasions and served as governor of Lions District 22.

Jack is survived by sister-in-law Joye Grabow Garnett and husband Keith; sister-in-law Regina Grabow; three children, Kimberly Brinckmeyer, Kent Brinckmeyer and Kelly Brinckmeyer Sullivan; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  

In addition to his wife, Guyla, Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sister Billie Dove Brinckmeyer Duffy and husband Clifford, brother Allen D. Brinckmeyer and wife Joan, brother George A. Brinckmeyer, and son-in-law Don Sullivan.  

A memorial service was Oct. 12 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach, Dela.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s honor may be made to the Rehoboth Beach Lions Club, P.O. Box 291, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.