Jack Lindhout

Jacob "Jack" Lindhout, of Las Vegas, NV, formerly of Comstock Park, MI, passed away on October 6, 2012, three minutes shy of his 81st birthday. He was born on October 7, 1931 in Fort Myers, FL to the late Gilbert and Sophia (Vander-Muelen) Lindhout. Jack enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 and served his country proudly as a Corporal during the Korean War. During his service to his country, he earned two Purple Heart Medals, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Combat Infantry Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. On April 23, 1955 Jack married the love of his life, Frances "Sue" Mahaffy. They made their home in Comstock Park, MI where they raised their three children, Cindy, Debbie, and Mike. In 1983, Jack and Sue moved to Las Vegas to "retire".

During his life Jack worked in many professions including owning his own Union 76 service station, working in management in various companies, being a shift boss in Las Vegas poker rooms, and what he always said was his favorite job, driving truck. Many people remember him most for his outstanding career driving racecars. Jack started his racing career in the 1950's at Berlin Raceway and the Grand Rapids Speedrome in Comstock Park, MI. Over the years he competed in the jalopies, super modifieds, midgets and USAC sprint cars. Jack won at least 200 feature events and gathered three season championships at the Grand Rapids Speedrome, two in the coupes and one in the midgets.

Over the years he had won many special races, Mid-Season Championships and the like, but the biggest win got away as he once was leading the Oswego Classic with 24 laps to go when something went wrong. Jack raced at over 50 different tracks in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario, over a span of four decades.

In 1994, he was inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Jack also enjoyed classic cars. He had previously owned a 1935 cherry red Ford Coupe and 1953 Hudson Hornet that he restored. Jack and Sue were former members of the Charioteers Classic Car Club of Southern Nevada and they enjoyed attending various car shows with their son Mike. He was an avid sports fan of almost all sports, but his favorite one to watch was NASCAR racing. Jack could be found cheering on his favorite racers with his daughter Cindy every weekend. In June he and Sue hosted a family dream vacation by taking their whole family, children and grandchildren, to Charlotte, NC - the heart of NASCAR.

Jack's greatest joy in life was his family. He was a devoted husband, dad, and grandpa. His grandchildren lovingly called him Bompa. Nothing made him happier than having happy children and grandchildren. His playful teasing, loving laughter, and devilish smile will forever be in the hearts of his family and his many friends. Jack was a friend to all and he will be deeply missed by all those that knew and loved him.
  Published in Grand Rapids Press on October 14, 2012