Dr. John Steel

Jack and his late wife, Maxine, were long time residents of Hillsboro, where Jack was an optometrist. He was born in Tennesse Colony, near Palestine, on November 12, 1914, one of 6 children. Jack attended the University of Texas at Austin and then joined two of his sisters and brothers-in-law in Memphis where he received his doctrate in Optometry. Jack served in World War II, stationed in the Army Hospital in Cairo, Egypt, where he was the one and only optometrist. After returning to the States, he moved to Austin, where he opened the city's first Texas State Optical office on Congress Ave. He met and married Maxine Maxey and then moved to Hillsboro where he opened his own practice. Jack was a member of the American Legion and Kiwanis Club in Hillsboro, and Karem Shrine of Waco. Along with his brother-in-law, the late Jerome Broughton, he was an original member of Karem Shrine Motor Patrol, a unit that performed synchronized motor cycle drills. A gifted musican, Jack played tenor sax in jazz bands to pay for his college education, and played in the Army band. He was a charter member of the Tooters of Hillsboro, a jazz band comprised of doctors, lawyers, and other townsfolk. The Tooters were a popular draw at the Hillsboro Bond's Alley fair, and even played for the retirement of General Westmorland. Jack is survived by his two daughters, Ann Steel Simmons and her husband Steve of Kennesaw, GA, and Karen Steel Valentine and her husband Larry of Waco; three grandchildren, Ryan Valentine of Austin, Jill Valentine Hill of Wylie, and Jeremy Valentine of Garland; and five great grandchildren.