Rut Koza Jacob , September 10, 1928 — July 11, 2018

Ruth Kozak Jacob (September 10, 1928 – July 11, 2018) was born, raised and educated in Clarksburg, West Virginia, leaving to become a flight attendant with Capitol Airlines in Washington, DC. It was there that she met her future husband, Norbert Kozak, a Naval aviator. From 1953 until his death in 1962, they moved to his duty stations in Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia and Florida.

She maintained her home and family during his long deployments, and chose to remain in Jacksonville while his aircraft went missing for several years to raise their four children. After her youngest daughter’s death at the Navy hospital in Jacksonville, she volunteered her time there and was a favorite of the clinical doctors because of her scheduling savvy and ability to put patients at ease. She also worked at Furchgott’s department store in Jacksonville as the manager of the women’s better dresses department, and was a top salesperson at a furniture store.

While her children attended Bishop Kenny High School, she was instrumental in the startup of the Navy JROTC program. Later in life, she married Jacques Jacob, a great friend and golfing partner. They enjoyed traveling together and spending time with family.

Ruth and “Jake” were married for 20 years until his death in 2001. Ruth was predeceased by her daughter Barbara and brothers Bill and Jack Neutzling. She is survived by her sister, Mary Louise Cosgriff of Buffalo, NY; her children Mike Kozak (Linda) of Orlando; Peter Kozak of Mount Pleasant, SC; Patricia Masciantoni of Winter Park, FL; her grandson, Jarrod Lopatka of Winter Park; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at a future date at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Burial will be with Norbert and Barbara Kozak in Arlington National Cemetery. The family wishes to thank staff at The Windsor Memory Care and St. Catherine Laboure Manor in Jacksonville for their excellent and compassionate care.

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