Jack Fennel

Jack passed away Nov. 15, 2011 at home due to complications of cancer. He was born January 31, 1937 in the Bald Hills, Yelm to his parents, Henry and Goldie (Eichhorn) Fennel. He grew up in Tumwater graduating from Michael T. Simmons Elementary and Olympia High School. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Beverly (Lee); two sons, Jeff and Todd (Carri). He has four grandchildren, Rachel, Monica, Zac, and Hank. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert (Darlene) and Don and his sister Virginia (Allen) Wicklund; Also several nieces, nephews, cousins and their extended families.

Jack lived most of his life in the Lacey and Tumwater areas until recently moving to Mason County. He worked several jobs throughout his life starting in high school with joining the WA National Guard at the age of 16 and working part-time for Texaco and Standard Oil. After graduating high school and finishing studies for the National Guard at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, he returned to Washington and was a State Patrol Driver’s License Examiner for 5 years; Standard Oil station manager; Thurston County Civil Deputy and Jailer; Lacey Plywood Shareholder/worker: commercial sheetrock construction; then numerous trucking jobs in heavy construction and locally. The last 35 years of his truck driving was with Olympia Sand & Gravel and retiring from Holroyd Company.

He enjoyed farming and raised Hereford beef cattle. He loved flying and was active for years in both the WA Pilots Assoc. and the local chapter and clubs. Throughout his life he belonged to various organizations; Tenino and Shelton Eagles; Lacey Moose Lodge; Lifetime member NRA; Thurston County rock hunting clubs; Trout’s Unlimited; the T-9-O Quarrymen Car Club. He enjoyed hunting, camping outings with family and friends and especially enjoyed the beach at Hood Canal.

The families wish to thank and acknowledge the professional help and friendship received from Providence Oncology, Providence St. Peter’s Hospital, the many private doctors and their staff, and Providence Hospice.

A graveside service will be held Dec. 3, 2011, 11 AM at Mills & Mills Memorial Park, 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater, (360-357-7743). It will be followed by a Potluck Celebration of Life at the Tumwater Methodist Church located at 1401 Lake Park Drive, Tumwater. The family suggests any memorial contributions be made to any of the cancer associations, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.

A Story of Jack's Life

Jack was born January 31, 1937 at home in the Bald Hills area near Yelm. The house he was born in had the history of originally being a Longmire Log house. His parents farmed, had milk cows, raised beef cattle, chickens and gardened. Jack and his brother would go to the barn with their mom to run the milk through the separator, then cooling the cream and skimming milk for shipment to the dairy. Then they would head off to school. In 1945 they moved to a farm in Tumwater. He attended Tumwater Grade School. His mom drove he and his brother Don all over Puget Sound so that they could compete in YMCA swimming competition meets. The swimming team was very accomplished. He graduated from Olympia High School. Tumwater did not have a high school at that time. He and his brother, Bob, helped their dad with his logging operations in the summer and off school times. The family also had a pleasure boat and spent many hours on the water. When Jack found he was old enough to join the National Guard, he did so much to his mother’s consternation. He also worked part-time while still in high school at Joe’s Texaco in Tumwater, which became a second home to him. He and Beverly met in bookkeeping class at OHS when Lacey School District also sent their students to Olympia High School, he a Junior and she a Sophomore. (They didn’t date again until her senior year.) After graduation he left for Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he had special military communication studies until the next spring. Upon his return, he worked for Standard Oil in Olympia. Then on to work for Washington State Patrol as a License Examiner. In the meantime, he and Bev had dated again, became engaged, and married in November of 1957. He continued as a License Examiner for 5 years, purchasing their first home in Lacey. He attended special winter survival maneuvers training for the National Guard in Big Delta, Alaska. He loved the skiing and cold weather experiences. Upon his return he looked forward to the birth of his first born, a son, Jeff. He did heavy construction sheet rocking at the U of W for a year. He then worked at the Sheriff’s Dept. as a civil deputy and jailer until after the birth of his second son, Todd. He was a Lacey Plywood shareholder and worker and was active with the associated credit unions serving on the board in various positions for years. He had the opportunity to work in heavy construction as a truck driver, one of the things he always wanted to do. He worked driving both in heavy construction and locally, working for Graystone, and Olympia Sand & Gravel as a cement truck and dump truck driver and retiring from Holroyd Co. as a truck and trailer driver.

Some of his favorite things were:

His first cars; Hunting Deer and Elk, Fishing; Rock hounding. He belonged to the local chapters of WA Agate & Mineral Society, Gold Prospectors and LMDA and he and family attended outings. He enjoyed many hours searching for agates in the river with his friend, Larry; Camping, and hiking the Olympics with his sons; Dancing. He and Bev attended Friday night dances at the local Moose & Eagle Halls and monthly dance outings with family & friends at the Rainier Rodeo Club Dances; Learning to fly and partnership in a small Cessna Taildragger (his favorite). He joined flying clubs with various private planes to fly including ownership and many fun experiences in a float plane. He loved to give plane rides; Going to air shows and fly ins; Remodeling projects, both large and small, on his homes with the help of family and professionals; Raising Hereford beef cattle; Belonging to a car club; Going to car shows; Going up to the canal lot; Sitting on an overturned 5 gallon bucket at the canal beach watching the world go by while he shucked oysters.

Jack’s German blood ran deep. His grandparents and father had emigrated from Germany as had his mother’s grandfather. He could be impatient and short tempered at times, but immediately over it. He loved to argue politics. He worried that young people didn’t care enough about them. He was often convinced his way was the only right way, but sometimes could be persuaded to change his mind. He had a strong work ethic and was particular at how things were done. He enjoyed outings like at the Curtarelli Lake when family & friends got together for all day potlucks and the Fennel and Lee/Megiveron picnics. He could be mischievous at times. He once accidentally mooned someone, and after years of teasing, they finally got even this year. He loved working outside and seeing what Mother Nature had to offer. When he would see a beautiful or unusual sight, sunrise or sunset, hummers or butterflies, he would call it to your attention so you too could enjoy it. He had a soft spot for the backyard deer, offering them apples. When he heard an airplane flying over, usually before anyone else could, he was off out the door to look. He often took pictures and was able to know the name and type. He loved a good Bourbon and Coke and often enjoyed one with his brother-in-law, family or friends. He loved deeply and his family and their welfare meant the world to him. He was “Grandpa Tractor” to his young granddaughter and could hardly wait to hear her call him that and to give tractor rides. He loved seeing his grand children’s activities and went to plays, concerts, and sports events whenever he could. He was looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild and the career pursuit and upcoming marriage of his other granddaughter. He loved the singing voice of his granddaughter and was tickled at his grandson’s excitement with football. He had great visions of his youngest grandson becoming another tech guru. He was very proud of his sons, grandchildren and family. We will miss him.