On February 3rd in 1943 Jack Bailey Esmond was born in Ottawa, Illinois, the second of four boys. His parents were June Davison Bailey Esmond and Truman Harold Esmond. Jack grew up in the small farm town of Walnut, Illinois, where his dad was the town mayor; Jack graduated from Walnut High School in June of 1961. With his great love of physics and mathematics he enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in September of 1961.

In August of 1963 he met his soulmate and the love of his life at a pairing of Sigma Chi, his fraternity, and Chi Omega, the sorority of Cheri (Cheryl Wassmundt). They were married on August 22, 1964 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. From their first date they became fast friends, finding similarities in their values in life. The two continued on at the University earning Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees. Jack was inducted into Pi Tau Sigma, mechanical engineering honorary and also awarded the ASHRAE award from the University for his excellence in Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning.

Upon completing their Masters degree programs in 1967 they headed off to Horseheads, New York, where Jack worked for the consulting firm of Personius Wadsworth. Their first daughter, Jill, was born in Horseheads. In 1973 Jack's father for health reasons needed help with his real estate/appraisal business in Ottawa, Illinois. So Jack temporarily left the engineering field to become a real estate broker and appraiser. Their second daughter, Heather, was born in Ottawa.

Returning to engineering and moving to Spring, Texas, in 1977, Jack worked for 3D/International as a registered Professional Engineer. Over time he became the Senior Vice President and Head of Engineering. In 1994 he co-founded E & C Engineers and Consultants. In February of 2009 he retired from E & C and formed Esmond Engineering Enterprises to serve as an engineering expert witness. He closed that firm in 2015.

Herrods of London, the Ritz in Paris, the Dorchester in London, the George R. Brown Convention Center, American General Towers, Lakewood Church, various projects for MD Anderson and UT Health Science Center are among the projects he was proud of designing/renovating. He was always the problem solver other engineers turned to for help with complex projects. He won the ASHRAE award for outstanding design of the Brookhollow Building. In 1987 he was presented a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Illinois. He also served on the Alumni Advisory Board of the college.

Jack's favorite pastimes included foreign traveling, scuba diving, cruising, and sports car racing.

Jack passed on November 16, 2023, surrounded by loving family members. He is preceded in passing by both parents and a brother, Fred. Surviving relatives include his wife, his two daughters Jill Letbetter and Heather Camden, five grandchildren, Kyndal Letbetter, Justin Letbetter, Samantha Letbetter, Corey Camden, and Lindsay Camden, and two brothers, Truman Esmond and William Esmond.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2 pm at Klein Funeral Home, 14711 FM 1488, Magnolia. A visitation with friends and family will be held before the Celebration beginning at 1 pm.