Wendell Merle Lott

After a century of life and love, Jack returned home to heaven on January 3, 2020. A man full of heart, wisdom and humor will be missed forever.

Jack was born to parents Orin and Elizabeth Lott on August 8, 1919 in Prineville, OR. His childhood included school, helping his dad, fishing for salmon at Celilo Falls and cutting juniper trees into firewood to sell for a living. All was well until one day his dad fell out of the old truck, hit his head, and died in front of him. Jack was 17 and sole provider for his mom and two sisters. He dropped out of school and found a job in light and heavy construction jobs until he found work in Baker, OR driving for Mobile Oil Company. Jack drove gas and oil tankers, delivering gas and oil from river barges to various gasoline stations. His main base was Baker, where he lived. One evening while going to the Covered Wagon Dance Hall, he met his wife-to-be. She was a very good dancer and soon became the love of his life. The rest is history.

Jack and Dorothy were wed on Halloween, October 31, 1941. The love Jack had for his bride was something we all cherish.

After getting married, Jack soon went to work in the coal mines in Kellogg, ID. Shortly after, Dorothy moved there. He worked steadily until he was called by the draft because of WWII.

His wife went back to Baker to be with her folks and he went to Fort Lewis, WA for training. He was about to be sent to war when an Army officer asked if anyone worked in the mines. Jack spoke up yes, so instead of going to war, he was sent to the lead mines for the war effort for one year. He was then shipped out to the war in the Philippines. He’d never set foot on a big ship before; in the bottom with five bunks high, he in the top bunk, with people throwing up. So when an officer came in and asked if anyone knew how to cook, he raised his arm really quick. Jack never cooked a day in his life, but he learned to read a cookbook fast. (The cooks slept by the kitchen.)

Jack stayed in the Army for four years, then received an honorable discharge. He looked for work after he left, but couldn’t find any, so back he went into the Army for another two years. He was stationed at Fort Sam Huston in San Antonio, TX. They immediately sent him to Camp White, OR for cook and mess sergeant school: a 12-week course. He then went back to Texas to be with his wife and two children to complete the last two years as a mess sergeant, being in charge of many men.

The two years went by quickly while Jack and Dorothy had one more son, Chuck. That same year, his first born, Leslie, contracted polio. Jack’s service with the Army ended.

The family of five moved to the much cooler state of Oregon. He found a job in Baker as butcher at a small grocery store called the Court House Market. Eventually the store came up for sale, and Jack bought it and he and the family lived upstairs. Jack retired in 1985 and moved with Dorothy to be with family in Yakima, WA.

Jack was an avid sports fan and loved watching and supporting events that his son Chuck and grandsons Scott, Kip and Kyle participated. He also loved the Seattle Mariners and the Seattle Seahawks as well as Oregon State and Washington State football, where his grandson, Kyle, played.

In his free time, he would go fishing, travel to California and Phoenix, AZ in his travel trailer during the winter. In the summer he liked to mow lawns (as many as 15 a week) on his riding lawn mower. He smoked salmon and jerky in his smoker, and was known as “Jack the Jerky man.” People loved it.

Later in life, he loved to feed the birds and watch them.

Jack and Dorothy had three wonderful children: Judy Lott Foye, Leslie Lott and Chuck Lott.

Jack’s qualities and characteristics blessed his family for many decades and the legacy he leaves here on earth will extend for many centuries to come.

He will be remembered forever with the most sincere memories for the love he extended to all of us.

Jack is survived by his children Judy Foye, Leslie Lott and wife Carolyn, Chuck Lott and wife Kay; grandchildren Brad Foye, Scott Foye, Kip Foye and wife Lori, Jim Lott and wife Megan, Anissa Lott Gargus and husband Dee, Lindsay Lott Wilson and Allie Lott, as well as eight great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Orin and Elizabeth Lott and his two sisters, Lyla and Lavelle, and his lovely wife Dorothy.

Here’s to a life well lived!

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at a later date in the spring.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithan