Dr. Jack Richard Archer, 92, peacefully reached the end of his earthly journey on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, and was received by his loving Heavenly Father who he served so faithfully throughout his life. Jack had been eagerly looking forward to the reunion with his beloved wife of 69 years, Rachel, as well as many other family members and friends who had gone on before.

Jack was a resident of Danbury Senior Living for two years where he daily expressed appreciation for his wonderful caregivers. He previously lived on Laurelwood Drive in Mount Vernon, OH, having lived in Mount Vernon for 55 years total.

His survivors include his two daughters Jacki (John) Rutherford of Martinez, Georgia, and Terri Tackett of Pataskala, Ohio; five grandchildren Christie (Scott) Myers, Jonathan Rutherford, Joshua (Hailey) Rutherford, Regan Tackett, and Gillian Tackett; and four great-grandchildren Hailey Myers, Avery Myers, Katelyn Rutherford, and Jason Rutherford. Jack is also survived by five sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and a multitude of nieces, nephews, their spouses, and great-nieces and nephews. He leaves behind many dear friends, including Bill Bridges, Thomas McKinley, and Joe Curran – these “best buddies” have been there for Jack supplying extra-faithful support in recent years, and we count them as family.

Dr. Archer was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Chester Archer and Nancy Jane Elkins Archer, as well as his two siblings, Verlin Archer and Robert Archer (along with wife, Laney).

Jack was born in Brazil (IN) during the Great Depression, the second of three sons. Those early years were not easy for the family, but life seemed a grand adventure to Jack. His dad was his best friend, and they spent lots of time together at his grandpa’s farm, where he rode horses, explored, and played pranks with his dad, his (Cherokee) grandpa, and his many uncles.

At age 9, his family life transformed when his mother was ill and not expected to survive. A Nazarene pastor came to pray with their family. By her bedside, Jack’s father made a promise to God that if God would heal his wife he would live for and serve God for the rest of his life. His mother soon recovered and his father kept his promise, becoming a devoted Christian and serving God through the Nazarene church for the rest of his life. Jack would often say his father was his hero.

After high school (where Jack played baseball, basketball, and ran track), he attended Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee. He sang in the Evangelaire’s men’s quartet traveling across the southeastern United States. In that quartet was another young man who was to become a lifelong friend, Bill Bridges. Two other major events occurred at Trevecca: 1) Jack felt the call of God to become a pastor, kneeling by his dormitory cot one night to accept the call; and 2) he met the absolute love of his life, Rachel Rushing, whom he married in December of 1952.

Shortly after marriage, Jack and Rachel moved to Parsons, West Virginia, to start a new Nazarene church. They lived in a hunting shack and the church held services in a barn. A year later, their oldest daughter Jacki was born. In the ensuing years, Jack pastored in Elkins, West Virginia; Huntington, West Virginia (where their youngest daughter Terri was born); Springfield, Ohio; and Mount Vernon, Ohio. He was honored to pastor Mount Vernon First Church of the Nazarene for 18 years. He was then elected to the position of District Superintendent of the North Central Ohio Church of the Nazarene, where he served 13 years until retirement. During his ministry years, he also served as the district youth ministry president on the West Virginia District and was a member of the Nazarene North Central Ohio District Board, Board of the General Church of the Nazarene, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University Board of Trustees as Vice President. Jack completed his bachelor’s degree at Marshall University (WV) and later received an honorary doctorate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. In his spare time, he loved to vacation, read, and play golf.

Dr. Archer was completely dedicated to his calling. He loved his parishioners, his churches, and the communities in which he served. He was on call 24/7 for any need that arose. The gospel he preached and the love he and Rachel showed to the respective communities resulted in a significant increase in size in every church he pastored. The North Central Ohio District thrived under his leadership where he viewed his role as “pastor to the pastors.” Over the course of his years of service, he ministered to and touched the lives of thousands of people, striving to be “a man after God’s own heart.” His messages inspired people to dedicate their hearts and lives to God. He performed marriages, dedicated babies, visited hospitals, counseled the hurt and broken, and conducted funerals. He was there for his people in every stage of their lives.

Through all of that he served his family as well, cherishing Rachel as the rock of his home life and his greatest supporter. He loved his daughters and sought to protect and provide for them right up to the time of his death. In retirement, he and Rachel would hold hands for a devotional and prayer time every morning and every evening.

Jack achieved his ultimate goal on December 18th completing his life’s devotion to serving God and others. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” We are so proud of you!

A memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 1st, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Vernon First Church of the Nazarene, 807 Coshocton Avenue, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. All are welcome.

The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Dr. Jack Archer.

Funeral Home: Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home

Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com