Jack O. Hart

Jack O. Hart, 96, passed away January 17, 2013, at home in Cowiche on the family place where he lived from the age of 2 until his marriage. The first child of Elmer G. Hart and Cecile (Stewart) Hart, Jack was born November 11, 1916. Jack attended Cowiche schools, graduating in 1935, after he intentionally failed algebra in his senior year so he could return and take the same classes as his high school sweetheart, Grace Zepp. Jack and Grace married in 1940. Their enduring love for each other was at the core of the legacy they gave to their children and following generations. During World War II, Jack and Grace moved to Puyallup, where Jack worked in the shipyards. However, the "urban" setting did not agree with Jack, and the family returned to the Cowiche area in 1943. Jack began working for Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District as a ditch rider in 1947. His first district was in Tieton. In early 1950, Jack was assigned to a district in the West Valley area, a setting that provided idyllic childhoods for his son and daughters, with horses, cows, and various pets.

A child of the depression, Jack raised a garden and kept a milk cow on the patrol site acreage where he and Grace raised their family in the 1950s. His children had to wait impatiently on Christmas mornings while he milked the cow before the family opened their presents together. Jack and Grace drew great pleasure from growing things and raised beautiful £lowers, especially roses. Jack enjoyed riding in the mountains, camping, spending time with his growing family as grandchildren were born, and fishing the creeks and rivers of the upper Yakima Valley.

With his western hat and Dalmatian dogs, Jack became a distinctive figure for his Irrigation District water users. In the first years of his ditchriding, Jack was able to combine his love of spending time on horseback with his job, by riding a horse as he patrolled his district. Inevitably, a pick-up truck, equipped with a two-way radio, replaced the horse on the job. However, Jack remained instantly recognizable to orchardists and homeowners with his dogs and hat. Jack retired after 35 years with Yakima Tieton, one of the district's longest-term ditchriders.

Jack had an affinity for animals, especially dogs, and taught his children and their children that animals deserve respect and care in return for their service and companionship. He raised Dalmatian dogs, even crating and sending a special puppy by plane to family living in Alaska.

Jack played a very important role in the lives of nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. He always had time to saddle a horse, answer a question, or tell a story from his childhood, and his life continues to be an inspiration to them.

Jack took time off after water season was over every October, helping gather cattle off the South Fork of the Tieton River with long-time friends. Jack continued to ride, well into his 70s. When Jack retired, he and Grace moved to the family property, living next door to Jack's mother. They again made a green, flowering oasis of fruits, vegetables and flowers, enjoyed their grandchildren, took many road trips, and travelled to Alaska and Hawaii

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Grace; a sister, Grace Marie Shockley; a grandson, Ladd Wickstrom; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Hart Skaggs. He is survived by a sister, Irma Smith, of Ellensburg, children, Nancy "Lucki" (Jim) Gano of Cowiche, Renee Wetch of Yakima, Jerry (Wende) Hart of Princeton, Oregon, and Jackie (Ted) Parr, of Olympia; five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the wonderful caregivers that

allowed Jack to remain in his lifelong home. To Stacy Rehfield, Kim and Mel Castro, and Marisol

Woodcock, we will be eternally grateful for your loving care and compassion given to Jack. We

would also like to thank RN, Dave, from Lower Valley Hospice, and Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 25, 2013 at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel with burial to follow at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Jack, visit www.lmfuneralhome.com.