Jack S. Havener

Jack Swansey Havener was born January 25, 1921 in Dixon Tennessee, one of five children of mother Nettie Johnson and father Boyd Havener. Jack died in his sleep on August 31, 2010 in Portland, Oregon after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by Blanche Havener, his wife of 65 years, and three sons Jeff, Glenn and Kevin.

Jack attended Indiana State University, the Juilliard School of Music and Columbia University. He was the first Juilliard graduate with a major in saxophone.

In his varied career, he played venues of all sizes, bringing to the job his skills on alto, tenor and baritone saxes, clarinet, flute and piccolo. Jack played and conducted for the Broadway stage; the famous ballrooms of the Waldorf Astoria and the Plaza; and swanky nightclubs such as the Copacabana.

He was chosen as musical director for national touring companies of Broadway hit musicals “Damn Yankees” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” He also composed original music for television. In the mid 1960’s Jack returned to Columbia for an education degree and taught high school music in New York and, when the family moved to Florida in 1967, worked full-time in Miami Beach as a teacher and librarian.

Jack also played and sang for many years in a yacht club trio in Florida, and continued to play after retirement in Oregon.

In accordance with Jack’s wishes no public memorial was held. His passing and cremation was honored by the immediate family in a private ceremony on September 4, 2010.

In lieu of flowers, it is the wish of Jack’s wife Blanche that donations be made in his memory to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the Alzheimer’s Association.