He grew up in North Portland and graduated from Roosevelt High School. Two weeks after graduation Jack found himself in the Army and served in the South Pacific Theater during WWII. After the Army he attended college at Vanport Extension Center (now known as Portland State University). In 1952 Jack met Edith West and the couple was married that same year. Jack went to work for Northwest Natural Gas Company, starting in the field and working his way up to Department Manager, overseeing both the mail room and the print shop. During his time at Northwest Natural Jack was active in AMS, a management group. He retired after over 40 years of service to the company in December of 1989. Jack is a former member of the Optimist Club and a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Church where he enjoyed participating with the Men’s Group.
He was an avid golfer, enjoying bi-weekly golfing with his other retired friends. Jack was a musician and played the guitar, piano and organ. He appreciated music and loved listening to it, even during dinner time. Above all, Jack was a family man. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Whether it was trips on the Max line, endless rides up and down elevators and escalators or trips to the airport to watch planes take off and land, Jack knew the meaning of quality time, and he will be fondly remembered as always fun loving.
Jack will be missed by his wife of 61 years, Edith; daughter, Sandy (Rich) Holt, Vicky Singleton and Tiffany (Kevin) Sullivan; brother, Jim (Georgia) Allen; sister, Nancy Thomas; and grandchildren, Chris White, Kaitlyn Holt, Chase White, Ashley Holt, Morgan Holt, Parker Sullivan and Marina Sullivan.
Visitation will be held from 10-11am on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life at Christ United Methodist Church, 12755 NW Dogwood St, Portland, OR 97229, on Sunday, January 5th, 2014 at 2:00pm.
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