Jack L. Kress, Jr., age 69, of Wilton, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Trinity Muscatine. A celebration of life will be held from 12–3 p.m., Sunday, July 19, at the Wilton Community Room. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Jack was born on Jan. 18, 1957, in Moline, the son of Jack and Marilyn (Spen-cer) Kress, Sr. He graduated from Wilton High School with the Class of 1975 before attending Indian Hills Community College, where he studied diesel mechanics and refrigeration, graduating in 1977. On Oct. 1, 1988, Jack married Cindy Timm.
Jack dedicated his working career to being a diesel mechanic. He spent 48 years with Thermo King, retiring in January 2026. In addition to his full-time career, he proudly owned and operated Kress Refrigeration in Wilton for many years. Never one to sit still, Jack also spent countless hours mowing lawns alongside his son, Spencer, and grandson, Xander.
Jack's garage was more than a place to work—it was a gathering place. With the door usually open, friends and family always knew they were welcome to stop by for good conversation, food, and a cold drink. Holidays often meant an open invitation to anyone who wanted to join the Kress family around the table. His generosity made everyone feel like family.
Jack loved racing and rarely missed a NASCAR event, faithfully cheering on his favorite driver, Mark Martin. He also looked forward each year to making the trip to Michigan International Speedway and enjoyed spending evenings at the stock car races in West Liberty. He was a devoted Green Bay Packer football fan and more recently, he became an enthusiastic fan of Caitlin Clark and WNBA basketball. In his younger years, Jack enjoyed playing pool league and poker nights at the Wooden Nickel, Fro's, and Pauly's. Every now and then, if the right song came on, you could even catch him two-stepping across the dance floor.
Those who knew Jack understood that if you needed help, he would be there. He might grumble about it, but he never hesitated to lend a hand. Beneath the good-natured complaints was a man with an incredibly generous heart who would do just about anything for those he cared about. More than anything, Jack was proud of his family. He believed in the value of hard work, self-reliance, and doing things the right way, lessons he passed on to his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren knew there was always something special waiting for them in Grandpa's famous cookie jar. Jack's "famous cookies" became a tradition that will forever remind them of his love and the little ways he showed he cared. As family and friends headed home after a visit, they could always count on hearing Jack's signature farewell: "Tell 'em where you got it!" Those words will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved him.
Jack will be loving remembered by three children, Brandi (Mike Wadkins) Kress, Jackilyn Kress and Spencer (Elyse) Kress; six grandchildren, Austin, Xander, Koy, Jayde, Evelyn and Decatur; two sisters, Julie (Scott) Morrison and Vicki Kress-Plett; Cindy (Dave Sweeney) Kress; and his Uncle June Kress.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Austin; a sister, Sherry Kress; and an infant sister, Roxanne Kress.
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