Born January 9, 1922 in Wilmington, NC to Rona Gordon Permenter and Beatrice (Cox) Permenter Jack graduated Salutatorian of his High School before entering the Navy in 1943 and served in Ron 34 and 35 on PT 508, seeing action on the day before D day and through the days following the invasion. Jack received the Meritorious Mast Award, and the Bronze star for saving sailors aboard the Rapidly sinking Escort Destroyer "Rich" along with campaign medals and ribbons. After returning home from the war, he Married Cleople (Hardee) Boyd on July 12, 1947. Under the G.I Bill he went to NC State receiving his BS degree in Agriculture with High Honors and his Masters degree in Agronomy With Honors in 1955.

Jack moved his family to Connecticut where he went to work for Windsor Shade Tobacco Company working there for many years. With retirement he and his wife Cleople moved from East Hartford to Manchester, before heading back to North Carolina. From a very musical family Jack always loved music and at a young age learned how to play the guitar. He also was a real sports fan enjoying basketball, football, baseball and golf (which he also played).

After many years of playing bridge with his wife Cleople and their friends, he became a master bridge player at the Hartford Bridge Club. Later in life, he enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and word games. Jack will always be remembered for his quick, dry wit and sense of humor.

Jack leaves his wife of over 60 years Cleople H. Permenter; a daughter, Dolores White of North Carolina; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Allan Edgerly of Connecticut; and his son and daughter-in-law, Gordon and Kay Permenter of Connecticut; five grandchildren James Burris, Sheri Reade-Hill, Christine Sessa, Ashley Permenter and Alyse Permenter; three great-grandchildren, Dakota Burris, Alaina Burris and Gordon Reade-Hill; and a great-great-grandson, Will Burris.

Jack also leaves two brothers, Eugene Permenter of South Carolina and Richard Permenter of New York; a brother-in-law, O'brien Hardee and his wife, Joyce, of South Carolina; a sister-in-law, Mildred Hardee of North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Frances Phillips of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. A sister, Mary-Ellen Hickman of North Carolina, predeceased him.

All who loved him and knew him will miss Jack.  Following funeral services held June 10 at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, burial took place in the church cemetery.