Jack Bullis -- A Gentleman's Gentleman

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JACK BULLIS: Bay City Bowling Icon Was World War II Drill Sergeant

March 13, 2015
By: Dave Rogers

You can say a lot about Jack H. Bullis, who died last week at age 89 in Sebring, Florida.

*Bowling icon (seven 300 games);

*Entrepreneur (owned and operated 2 bowling alleys);

*Loving husband and father to four girls and a boy;

*Expert golfer (several holes in one);

Inducted into both the Bay County Bowling Hall of Fame and the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame.

Pillar of the business community, family man, sports figure: but when you say Air Force pilot and drill sergeant in World War II, you are taking his respect level even higher.

Jack spent his service time mentoring the hundreds of daring flyboys training in Louisiana who would take Uncle Sam's aircraft and their lives in their hands hurtling through the skies over France, Germany, the South Pacific and even Tokyo. Who knows how many lives he impacted with his advice and counseling?

After the war, Jack came back to Bay City, worked in the financial industry, saved his money and bought Bay Lanes in 1964. It became a popular place for the bowling crowd and those seeking entertainment on Euclid Avenue.

Then, in 1997, at the age of 72 when most folks have been long retired, the entrepreneurial spirit again arose and he became the owner/manager of the Bavarian Bowl, in the bowling mecca of Frankenmuth, one of Michigan's most popular tourist destinations.

Don't forget he was the first bowling proprietor around to have programs for special needs children, a group of kids that tug at your heart-strings just watching them live and learn.

His daughter, Cyndy Evans, called from Atlanta with grief and pride in her voice.

The measure of a man, or woman, is awesomely revealed by what they do in life. Jack and Geri were married 64 years and raised Kerri, Cyndy, Kathy, Lori and Randy, who died in an automobile accident in 1982.

The long list of condolences posted online included one particularly pertinent: "One of the great gentlemen." Many people looked up to Jack Bullis, and for good reason.

But you can't say much more about anyone than the phrase that evokes images of competence, integrity, strength, authority and empathy than "pilot and drill sergeant in World War II. And, of course, Veteran."

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