John McPherson

John H. “Jack” McPherson was born in Kirkland, Washington in 1937 to Gordon and Lottie McPherson. He was born in the old Kirkland Hospital. Jack graduated from Lake Washington High School in 1955 and went on to a career with Puget Sound Power and Light Company.

Jack started out as a mail driver driving a long route delivering interoffice mail throughout Puget Power’s region. Jack worked his way up eventually working on a line crew as a groundman and then was accepted as an Apprentice Lineman. Jack was very proud when he received his first set of custom made lineman’s boots. Jack graduated from the Apprenticeship School to become fully fledged Journeyman Lineman. Jack worked long hours as a lineman, literally weathering every storm to restore the power to Puget Power’s customers.

Jack went from a line crew to becoming a Serviceman. With this new position Jack was on 24 hour call with a service truck at home. Jack spent a lot of stormy Thanksgivings called out to repair downed power lines.

Jack retired from Puget Power after 38 years. He spent the next 18 years in busy retirement, singing, fishing, travelling and just relaxing. Jack did complain that his retirement check was all straight time referring to all the overtime he worked as a serviceman. Jack was an avid member of the Seattle SeaChordsmen Choral Group and a Barber Shop Quartet.

Jack passed away peacefully at Evergreen Hospice on July 6th, 2013 after a short battle with cancer.

Jack is survived by his sister Mary, son’s Greg, Tim and David, their mother Josephine, grandchildren, Gordon, Aidan, Tess, Rebecca and Stephanie and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his long time companion Ruth. Ruth’s children, Tammy, Tim, Ronnie and Ethel will dearly miss Jack.

In lieu of flowers and a memorial service donations should be made to the Seattle SeaChordsmen www.seachordsmen.org or the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance www.seattlecca.org.

Jack will be inurned on July 22nd, 2013 at 1100 AM at the Floral Hills Cemetery 409 Filbert Road Lynnwood, Washington. All are welcomed to attend.