Jeffrey Spain Fort Sr., 83, died on Jan. 31, 2024. Born in Oak Park on July 20, 1940 to Jean and Spain Fort, at Oak Park and River Forest High School, he was voted All-Around Athlete, excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to Bradley University and went on to play football at the University of Illinois, Michigan State University and Northern Illinois University. After earning his master’s degree in mathematics, he taught math and coached in Tiskilwa and Sterling, Illinois, and Maine East High School. He furthered his career at Scott Foresman in Northbrook as an editor and in sales of mathematics textbooks. After he retired, he opened a golf shop in Melrose Park.
Jeff married Dea Westergaard in 1963 and they had five children: Traci, Tammi (Eric) Kumerow, Terri (Mike) Kallas, Steffani (John) LeFevour, and Jeff Jr. (Sara). He had 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and was preceded in death by his daughter, Traci, and his second wife, Dee Lee. He is also survived by his sister, Debbie Buckley.