John Clinton Rist, known to his family and friends as "Jack," died at the age of 94 on March 17, 2023 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Jack was born November 8, 1928 in Youngstown, Ohio, and spent his childhood on his family's farm in Tennessee. After graduating from the college ROTC program in Ohio, he proudly served his country for 20 years as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. His army career took him to Greenland, Greece and Germany, as well as other locations around the globe. However, it was during his time in Germany that Jack met his beloved wife, Karin. It was just a matter of time before the family grew to include two children, Dianne and "Bo," and they moved to Huntsville, Alabama. While in Huntsville, Jack earned master's degrees in psychology and business administration, served as a counselor at the Mental Health Center, and worked at the Redstone Arsenal Missile Munitions Center and School.

Jack had great friends and enjoyed playing poker, bowling in a league, singing in a barbershop chorus, and volunteering at several charitable organizations and foundations including the Lion's Club, the American Chestnut Foundation, and the Land Trust of North Alabama. He was also an avid world traveler, and, in his later years, traveled with his daughter Dianne to various locations in Central America, South America and Alaska. Jack was also a bit of a daredevil, and for his 85th birthday, went skydiving for the first time in his life.

Jack was a fun-loving, gregarious soul with a contagious laugh. He dearly loved his extended family deeply and remained close with them throughout his life. Jack was generous to a fault, both with his time and money, always looking out for the forgotten and the downtrodden. Like his father before him, Jack was a committed Democrat in a sea of Republican friends, and he was always ready to explain why he had taken the "better path." Jack was also a history buff and an avid reader who was passionate about nature and the environment.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents Lafayette ("Fate") and Nina Dysinger Rist, his sister Mary Ellen Rist, and his beloved wife, Karin Schmitt Rist. He is survived by his children, Dianne (Todd Duclos) and John "Bo" (Maria) Rist; granddaughters, Elena and Silvia Rist; and many cousins in middle Tennessee.

Visitation of family and friends will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Rd. SE, Huntsville, AL 35802. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30 pm, the Very Rev. J. David Carter, JCL, JV officiating. After the funeral, all are invited to a reception at the church. Burial will follow at 3:30 pm at Valhalla Memory Gardens, 698 Winchester Rd., Huntsville, AL 35811. Visit berryhillfh.com/obituary/john-rist to view photos and share memories.

Please consider making a donation in Jack's name to one of his favorite charities: American Chestnut Foundation, Land Trust of North Alabama, World Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the Salvation Army.