Funeral service for Hon. John L. “Jack” Placke, 88, of Giddings, Texas, was held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran with Pastor Robert Tiner and Pastor Josh Hahn officiating.
Burial followed in the Giddings City Cemetery.
Visitation was held on Monday, November 27, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family was present on Monday, November 27, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home.
John Lehmann “Jack” Placke was born on Valentine’s Day in 1935 to parents Fred and Bertha “Bertie” Placke in Giddings, Texas.
He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church on March 24, 1935, and confirmed at Immanuel on April 10, 1949.
He had an older brother, Fred, and a younger brother, Billy.
Jack attended Giddings public schools and as a junior was the quarterback for the 1951 Giddings High School state championship football team.
He earned a football schol-arship to the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and Social Studies.
He taught and coached at the Travis State School while attending UT law school.
He met Mary Sue Pace in Austin, and they married in 1963.
Jack began his legal career by serving as a briefing attorney at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for Judges Tom McDonald and Jack Onion, then worked as a prosecutor for the Travis County Attorney and DistrictAttorney’s offices under Tom Blackwell.
In 1968, Jack and Sue returned to Giddings where he practiced law with Michael Simmang.
He was elected Justice of the Peace in Lee County in 1970.
In 1972, he won a contested race for 21st Judicial District Attorney for Lee, Bastrop, Burleson and Washington counties.
In 1975, Jack was appointed 21st Judicial District Judge by Governor Dolph Briscoe for the 21st Judicial District again covering Lee, Bastrop, Burleson and Washington counties. He was re-elected without opposition for six consecutive four-year terms until he retired in 2000.
He served as a Senior District Judge for a number of years thereafter.
He served in active duty with the U.S. Army and then as a member of the Texas Army National Guard until his honorable discharge in 1966.
Judge Placke enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, running, checking his cows, reading, barbecuing, playing handball and tennis.
He made many friends in his 30 plus years of public service.
Over the years he gave back to his Lee County community including time as a member of the Giddings Volunteer Fire Department, Lee County BarAssociation, Giddings Chamber of Commerce, Giddings Lions Club, Citizens State Bank Board of Directors and Board of Education at Immanuel Lutheran School.
Judge Placke is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 years Sue Placke, and his brother Fred.
He is survived by daughter Jennifer Placke Gault and husband Charles of Seabrook, son Martin Placke and wife Jennifer of Giddings, daughter Abigail Placke of Weatherford, and two granddaughters Anna Placke Holland and husband Anthony of Georgetown andLauraKatePlacke andhusbandJordanDedear of Georgetown. He is also survived by his brother William Placke and wife Dottie of Katy, sister-in-law Ruth Placke of Giddings, brotherin- law J.B. Pace of Georgetown, nieces Linda Placke and Gretchen Placke, and nephews George Placke and Derek Placke.
Jack passed away in his home on November 21st.
The family would like to thank Jack’s trusted companion Charles Pohorelsky and also Charlene Mutschink, Brittany Behrens, and the staff of A Perfect Way Home Health Care for their loving and exceptional care of Judge.
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Fund, Giddings Food Pantry or the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements made by Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.