Jack Croul

June 8, 1924 - February 23, 2025

John 'Jack' Croul, a military hero and veteran of 'The Greatest Generation' passed away peacefully at his Newport Beach residence. Jack lived his moto; 'Just do the right thing and think of other people.' He was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Gertrude and Rex Croul. Raised in San Marino with his three brothers, Ed (SPHS '44), Richard (SPHS '46, and Jim (SPHS '50), he took the Red Car of the Pacific Electric Rail to and from South Pasadena High School during the early 1940s.

In 1943 at 18 years of age, Jack enlisted in the US Army Air Force during World War II. In 1944 he was a lead navigator for the 96th Bomb Group, 338th Squadron, flying 33, B-17 missions, including two on D-Day. Jack earned a Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Postwar, he received the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service. He retired as Captain, Army Air Corps, in 1945.

After the war, Jack enrolled at Stanford University, transferring to Claremont Men's college when he began to date Janet Behr (SPHS '48), whom he married in 1950. Jack was a 'Pacesetter' and a member of one of the first graduating classes at Claremont Business School. As an alumnus, he endowed multiple scholarships and professorships, including the Janet Croul Memorial Scholarship to honor Janet who died in 1993, the John V Croul Professorship of European History and the Kingsley Croul Professorship of American History, among others.

Upon graduation, Jack turned his energy to the business world and was hired as an early employee of Behr Process Corporation. He was instrumental in building Behr Process Corporation, a paint company, into one of the largest private companies in Orange County, with more than 1000 employees. Eventually, he rose to prominence as the Chairman of Behr. Around the time of his retirement from Behr, Jack met his second wife Kingsley Roney Brosnan and the two of them traveled the world together.

A passionate collector of postwar European automobiles, Jack amassed an impressive collection of sports and race cars. He didn't just collect cars - he drove them, navigating the winding mountain roads from California to Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe. Jack's collection was inspired by the famous Italian Mille Miglia car races that took place in the first half of the 20th century, and his cars participated in 28 Mille Miglia retrospective rallies. His collection became a living tribute to the golden age of racing.

Jack's many passions included restoring vintage fighter planes, flying gliders, prop planes, and at 73, he received his helicopter license. He loved his community and was instrumental in saving the historical Cannery Restaurant in Newport Beach from destruction. He was a man of discretion, elegance, and great generosity. Jack endowed the Earth Systems Science building at University of California, Irvine and his generous philanthropy will continue through the Croul Family Foundation, which he founded

His wife Kingsley survives Jack, as do his two sons - Brad, his wife Judith; Spencer, his wife Susan, and their families. He is also survived by Kingsley's sons and their families, as well as his brother Jim, and his wife Susie. Jack is preceded in death by his first wife Janet, and his brothers Ed and Richard.

He will be cherished for his stories of valor, his infectious enthusiasm, laughter and his warm, generous nature.

Orange County Register, March 7, 2025