Jack Douglas LeForce was born May 29, 1928, in the Garber-Covington oil field in Covington, Oklahoma to Milburn Loyd LeForce and Katie Annie Fortney. He was the youngest of eight children who lost his father at the early age of 11 years old Jack attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse called the Mason School District near the family farm in Covington. He graduated from Covington High School in 1946.

Jack attended Oklahoma A&M College (Oklahoma State University) from 1946 to 1950. He also completed the required first two years of Officers Training Corps (ROTC) while attending Oklahoma A&M. While at Oklahoma A&M, he was on a winning meat judging team in Kansas City which would start his love of the cattle industry competition and showmanship. He graduated with an Animal Science degree and a reserve officer commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Upon graduation, Jack enlisted in Army and served our country in combat in the early days of the Korean War (1950-1953) as an Infantry Combat Platoon Leader. Jack was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Army Occupations Medal. He was proud to have served his country and maintained friendships with the men in his platoon, attending gatherings in later years to share stories of their time in Korea.

While attending Oklahoma A&M College, Jack met the love of his life, Wilma Janice Brewington. Prior to her college graduation, Janice traveled by train to Georgia to marry Jack before his overseas deployment. They were married at Fort Benning, Georgia, on March 31, 1951.

Following Jack’s return from the war, Jack worked for 23 years with the registered Hereford ranching business in Arizona and California. Jack started in the cattle business as Herdsman for the Milky Way Hereford Ranch in Springerville, Arizona. In 1955, Jack accepted a position for the Long Meadow Ranch in Prescott Arizona where he and Janice welcomed their first child, Jacquetta Kay. In 1958, the family moved to Gilroy, California as Jack became Beef Superintendent for the Lucky Hereford Ranch. While living in Gilroy, Jack and Janice’s family expanded with the birth of their son, John Douglas. In 1964, John Wayne and his partner hired Jack as manager of operations for the nationally recognized 26 Bar Ranch in Arizona. The family spent 12 years in Arizona before Jack and Janice returned to their beloved Oklahoma in 1976 for him to take a Vice President position at First National Bank and Trust Company of Oklahoam City. Jack helped build the largest Farm and Ranch Management Department in the Southwest at the time.

Jack was a prominent figure in the agricultural community with an impressive career spanning decades of dedication and leadership. He served as the Beef Superintendent at the Oklahoma Junior Livestock Show for over two decades and contributed to the success of the largest Junior Livestock Show in the nation. His expertise extended beyond showmanship, he held esteemed positions such as President of the Oklahoma Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, President of the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma, President of the Oklahoma City Farm Club and the Southwest Livestock Foundation. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Livestock Council.

After retirement, Jack established his own cattle operation in Noble County where he enjoyed spending his days being outdoors, working cattle and improving the land. He stayed connected with the Animal Science Department at Oklahoma State University, attending functions and activities. An Oklahoma State Cowboy fan, he had season football tickets for many years. He was proud to have three generations of Oklahoma State University graduates.

In 2014, Jack received the Graduate of Distinction by Oklahoma State University Animal Science for his outstanding achievements and service making a lasting impact on the industry.

In 2024, Jack was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum with the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the enduring Western cultural legacy.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Jacquetta LeForce of Edmond, Oklahoma, John LeForce and his wife Becky of Edmond, Oklahoma, grandsons, Blake LeForce and his wife Hannah of Morrison, Colorado, Connor LeForce of Edmond, Oklahoma, great grandsons, Brooks LeForce, Lachlan LeForce and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by Janice his wife of 70 years, his parents, siblings and grandson Walker Bartol.

A funeral service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 14, 2026, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, Oklahoma.

A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m., Friday, August 14, 2026, at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, Oklahoma.