Jack L. Songer

Jack L. Songer, 81, of Chula Vista, California, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on March 10, 2021. Jack waged his battle against cancer over 17-years ago and will always be remembered for his strength and determination to have been a three-time cancer survivor.

Jack was born November 21, 1939 in Newton, Illinois. He joined the United States Navy at age 16, and had a remarkable career in communications, earning the National Defense Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation while onboard the USS Hyman, for his work during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jack deployed on multiple occasions while serving in the U.S. Navy. He manned the communications with distress calls when the USS Thresher sank off the coast of Massachusetts. His favorite stories of military service included duty with his older brother, Jerry, on the USS Shangri-La and recovering the Apollo 10 Astronauts, paving the way for the first manned landing on the moon. His deployments led him to Africa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Midway Island and cities throughout the U.S. His most rewarding deployment would be in 1964, to the Philippines, when he met his wife, Luz. They were married in 1966 and would go on to have six children together.

Jack completed his service to our country in 1976 after a stellar 20-year career and would eventually settle in San Diego, CA. Reflective of his character, his military evaluations continually applauded his impeccable work ethic. His commanding officer noted in one such evaluation: "He is looked up to by his operators, getting the most out of his men with minimum effort. His appearance, both in and out of uniform, is above reproach, reflecting obvious pride in the uniform he wears. He displays a firm, no-nonsense attitude and continually ensures a smooth-running efficient watch. He has a keen sense of humor and is very well liked by all." Jack’s skills and dedication to duty carried over from the military into his work with the United States Border Patrol. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2422 in Coronado, CA. In his retirement, Jack found his new mission in enjoying life which included; gardening, model building, amateur radio (HAM), picking his banjo, perfecting ‘fruit art’, being the house quartermaster, his dogs, joking with his grandkids, anything to do with Halloween, deploying signage as needed for instruction, and often being tasked by his family to find the unfindable on the internet. Jack was a strong presence, with a kind heart and will be deeply missed by his family.

Jack is survived by his wife, Luz, of Chula Vista, CA; children Dianne (Mike) Gerard of Algonquin, IL, Mark Songer of Denver, CO, David (Vanessa) Songer of Oxnard, CA, Edward (Eileen) Songer of Macomb Township, MI, Corrina (Mark) Songer-Meredith of Chula Vista, CA, and Perlita Songer of Chula Vista, CA; grandchildren Jason Thompson, Justin Songer, Christopher Songer, Rachel Songer, Kayla Sides, Paige Songer, Eric Gerard, Masen Meredith, Nick Gerard, Hannah Songer, Jack Songer and Nicholas Songer; great-grandchild Maya Songer; his dogs, Banjo and Enzo. Sisters Susan Coleman of Decatur, IL, Cindy Dell of Dalton City, IL and Robyn Bodine Tate of Decatur, IL. Jack was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Doris, brother Jerry, and sister Jeannie.