Jack Denning Boden

He was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 5, 1929, the middle of three boys born to Kruger and Catherine Boden. He attended Commerce High School, where he became interested in mountain climbing and skiing. While attending Vanport College, his Marine Reserve unit was activated, and he was sent to the Korean War. Upon his return, he attended Portland State University, where he met and married Ellene Meyer. During their nearly 73 years of marriage, Jeff, Jill, Janelle, and Jay were born.

In 1954, Jack was hired to teach business classes at Beaverton High School, where he taught for 30 years. He started and ran the school’s ski program for 21 years. Upon retiring, he and Ellene spent 20 years serving on staff with Youth With A Mission in Hawaii and Salem, with opportunities to see the world through outreaches to many countries.

Jack loved camping with the trailer and taking along all the family bikes. Summers were filled with Christian camps, float trips, and beach or mountain adventures. Later, Jack took up geocaching and found more than 8,000 hidden caches.

He was very proud of his ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren and had a special heart for the little ones. He is survived by his wife, Ellene; younger brother, Dick; and all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jack wrote in his life story:

“An infant, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a teacher, a Christian, a father-in-law, a missionary, a grandfather, a retiree, a great-grandfather, an old man…and now, best of all, home…a finalist.”

He finished the race well!