In Loving memory of Jacobs, Clyde Leroy.
Clyde was born in East Alton, Illinois, to parents Mildred (nee Russell) and Clarence Jacobs. Dad grew up in simpler but harder times in Missouri during the Depression. His mother used to call him and his younger brother Bob in for supper by yelling “Clyde and Bobby – the Lone Ranger is on the radio”.
The family eventually moved to Yakima, Washington, where he was a top student and athlete at Yakima High School. After graduation, he hitchhiked across the USA to successfully take enrollment tests at King’s Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York. He graduated at the top of his class while managing to play starting halfback on their football team.
After graduating from King’s Point he was employed as an officer on the SS “America” passenger vessel servicing between New York and Europe. During the Korean War he joined the U.S. Navy as an officer on a supply ship plying the Korean Waters.
Just prior to being deployed to Korean War conflict, he married Patricia (nee Anderson) also of Yakima. After the end of his military service they settled in San Francisco, California, starting their family there.
His illustrious business career in international shipping management spanned more than 5 decades. He worked at Crown Zellerbach and Ambulk Shipping in San Francisco, and Seaboard Shipping and Pacific Commerce Line in Vancouver. As Manager of Crown Zellerbach’s transportation department he was instrumental in the pioneer development of the first open hatch gantry craned vessels, which were employed to carry Newsprint from Elk Falls to California. As Vice President of Seaboard Shipping he was responsible for building the first of their kind specialized RORO (roll-on, roll-off) vessels to carry lumber from B.C. to Japan and autos back to the North American West Coast.
He travelled the world, spoke Norwegian and Spanish, and made many life-long local and international friends.
He is survived by three generations of loving offspring with our Mom, Patricia, who predeceased him in 2005: 3 Daughters - Marian Fisk (Earl), Joyce Wall, (Bob), and Christie Blaker (Glenn); 7 Grandchildren - Jennifer Vassel (Ryan), Carlene Wishart (Colton), Victoria Mejia (Alejandro); Scott Blaker, Cameron Fisk (Grace), Kelly Blaker; and Ian Fisk; and 6 Great Grandchildren – Kalia Wishart, Sophia Vassel, Hanalei Wishart, Sebastian Mejia, Madeleine Vassel, and Camila Mejia. He was affectionately known as “Papa” by all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger brother Don, and his 2nd wife Dionne (Borup) and family.
He will be lovingly remembered for his sharp creative optimistic mind, his love of swimming (“it’s excellent”), fishing, sailing, golfing, skiing, camping, reading (especially history), and poetry.
Clyde and his family were very grateful for the wonderful care he received at Orchard Manor in Kelowna during the final months of his life.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com
Arrangements in care of First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC. 250-762-2299
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