It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Jack Carlos Fortner, a gentle soul whose enduring spirit touched many lives. Jack was born on January 26, 1942, in Toccoa, Georgia, to Clark Miles and Jessie Cash Fortner. He carved a life of love and commitment, lighting up the path for those who had the privilege to walk with him. 

Jack was more than a skilled maintenance technician in the textile industry, retiring after 30 years from DuPont in Camden. He was a man who embraced life's simple pleasures. An avid fisherman, he found tranquility in the ripple of the water and the tug of a line. His hands, skilled in fixing machinery, also coaxed life from the earth, nurturing his garden with the same dedication he showed in his work. Jack brought the same passion to cheering on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs as he did to his love for music, a gift he shared with his brothers in the Fortner Boys Gospel Group. Jack poured himself into his church, first Sawney's Creek Baptist Church in Ridgeway where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Director, and Finance Director. He later attended Hillcrest Baptist Church in Elgin.  After his retirement, he and Carolyn enjoyed staying at Briarcliffe RV Resort in Myrtle Beach where they developed a new family of friends that they made wonderful memories with. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Ross Fortner; daughters, Vicki Ott (Dean) of Lexington and Jill Slater (Edward) of Elgin; grandchildren, Jack Edward Slater (Shaylee Thorne), Rylie Renee Slater, Patrick Ott (Taylor), and Hayden Ott; great-grandchildren, Adaline Ott and Oliver Ott; and his dog, Sassy.  He was predeceased by brothers, LeRoy Fortner, Roger Mack Fortner and Herman Bruce Fortner; and great-granddaughter, Ava-Lynn Ott.

The funeral service for Jack Fortner will take place on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 3:00pm, Powers Funeral Home, located at 832 Ridgeway Road, Lugoff, South Carolina, 29078 with burial to follow in Hillcrest Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.

The family would like to thank Al and Helen Register for all their loving care during the past years.  Also the MUSC Hospice angels (Alisha, Dianne, Suzanne and Briana).