Norman, OK - John Joseph "Jack" Kasulis, Ph.D., died on Aug. 11, 2025, after a remarkable 80 years of life filled with love, laughter and legacy.

Jack was born on April 25, 1945, in Bridgeport, Conn., to Albina and Joseph Kasulis. The family moved to New Britain, Conn., where Jack and his two brothers, Joe and Tom, were raised. Jack's grandparents immigrated from Lithuania and their close-knit family lived in small apartments on each level of a three-story house.

Education was a priority for the hard-working family. Jack attended the University of Connecticut, where he earned his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees in Marketing. It was at UConn where he met the love of his life, Karen Dawson, and they were married on May 17, 1969. Prior to graduate study, Jack worked as a sales representative with Sun Oil Co. and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served a 2-year tour as a military policeman at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

Jack and Karen moved to Evanston, Ill., where Jack earned his Ph.D. in marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. While in Evanston, the couple's first two children - daughters Kimberly and Amy - were born. The family moved to Norman in 1975 when Jack joined the University of Oklahoma faculty. Sons Scott and Mark were born in Norman, and it's where Karen and Jack would raise their family and spend the rest of their lives.

Jack embarked on a lengthy and distinguished career at OU's Michael F. Price College of Business. For 45 years, he was a gifted teacher, respected scholar, and trusted leader. He held numerous leadership positions, including Associate Dean under six deans, Division Director of two academic divisions, and Director of multiple programs. He served in other academic roles outside the university, including as Chair, Vice Chair, and Trustee of the Graduate Management Admissions Council. He retired in 2020 as University of Oklahoma Professor Emeritus and the Ruby K. Powell Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management.

Jack loved sports. He played basketball and baseball throughout childhood and played basketball and softball for St. John's Episcopal Church for many years. He was a big OU fan watching football and basketball. Jack was an OU men's basketball and football season ticket holder for over 40 years and enjoyed attending Oklahoma City Thunder games with family. He was thrilled with the Thunder's NBA championship!

He spent many years volunteering in leadership roles at the Optimist Club in Norman. He truly believed in Optimist International's mission to "bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves". He lived out the Optimist mission while coaching all four of his children and so many more. He went out of his way to ensure all kids would have the opportunity to learn and play, even giving rides to practices and games when needed.

From the time he was young, Jack had an unwavering faith. St. John's Episcopal Church became home for the Kasulis family. He not only attended church faithfully, but he lived out his faith in his daily life. He was always straightforward and honest, placing the needs of others before himself. After Karen died from cancer in 2003, Jack could be found each Sunday visiting Karen in the columbarium. Jack was dedicated to Karen until the end. Jack loved his entire family endlessly. He was so proud and took every opportunity to brag about each of his children and grandchildren.

Jack is survived by his daughters Kim Tyree (James) of Norman and Amy Yowell (Mark) of Lubbock, Texas; sons Scott Kasulis (Heather) of Edmond and Mark Kasulis (Ally) of Norman; brother Tom Kasulis (Ellen) of Columbus, Ohio; 12 grandchildren - Danielle and Katherine Haggard; Grayson, Layne and Cade Yowell; Paige, Luke, Katrina and Lauren Kasulis; and Carter, Addison and Cooper Kasulis; brother-in-law Bruce Dawson of Silver Springs, Maryland; and cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Karen, parents Albina and Joseph Kasulis, brother Joseph Kasulis Jr. (Carol), parents-in-law Florence and Vernon Dawson, and sister-in-law Wendy Clifton.

A funeral service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Norman. Everyone who knew and loved Jack is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers please donate to the ministries of St. John's Episcopal Church of Norman (https://www.episcopalnorman.org/give-online).