Jack McAllister was born on December 13, 1926 and passed away at the age of 97 on April 19, 2024.

Jack graduated from Robbinsdale High School and the Dunwoody Institute, following his education by proudly serving his country as a Navy Veteran during World War 2.

After serving, he worked many jobs. He worked for Coast to Coast Hardware in Robbinsdale for many years. He was a toy designer for Sifo Toys as well as for Centuri Rocket Company. He designed cereal box premiums for General Mills. Jack worked as an engraver at Jostens and was employed by North States Industries as a designer and machinist. He also worked at Priemier Plastics as a designer and mold fabricator and was a machinist at NW Swissmatics.

But one of his proudest achievements was being the creator of the games Bunkerball and Racehorse checkers. "The absolute best picnic game for families, churches, and parks. Play like Softball only that the fielders use paddle bats to get fly or ground balls into the ring shaped bases for a put-out," he described it.

He was also a dedicated member of his community: an active member of the Robbinsdale, Crosby and Wright County Historical Societies. He was also a naturalist, and enjoyed sharing his expertise on ancient Native American portage trails which traverse throughout Cuyuna country. In fact, he was instrumental in clearing the pathway for a scenic mountain bike and hiking trail located in Ironton, MN and was even featured in a documentary on PBS.

Jack will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved him.