SK
Most of us will remember the consistent check ins from Jack on Tara's Monday Night nets.
Without researching past check in records,
I can honestly say that none would compare with jacks check in record on
TARA's net.
He would be out on walks just a few years back and take the time and effort to enusre his signal would be solid for his unwavering check ins.
If you were one of the lucky ones, you got to work Jack as a 2-meter Aeronautical mobile
while he was pulling those spectacular Sailplanes to gliding altitude
over the Carson Valley.
Jack was too humble to discuss his heroic service to our country at the numerous Christmas gatherings TARA had.
I am left with a profound sadness that I didn't take the time to engage Jack in extended conversations
to discover the truly amazing and unselfish nature of this fellow Amateur radio operator.
My Thanks to Joel, who is also a fellow Hero from his service in the USAF, for passing along Jacks dedicated service history to us all.
And to Matt, W7KJU, another Hero Veteran, for the pictures
https://youtu.be/Tj9CtphFByc
His interest in aviation was cast.
While working at Elmendorf Air Base, in Anchorage, Alaska as an aircraft mechanic, he took
the test to become an Amateur (ham) Radio Operator.
After easily passing the test (which at the time required him do demonstrate a proficiency in morse code)
he was strongly recruited to join the United States Signal Corps.
However, Jack having long since been bitten by the aviation bug, instead enlisted into the
United States Army Air Corps pilot program in 1942.
He was sent to Northern Italy to fly both the A-20 Havoc and subsequently the A-26 Invader
(named after his late wife Margie) for the 47th Bombardment Group with the 85th Squadron of
the Twelfth Air Force.
After WWII, Jack continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves at Travis Air Force Base,
California, where he retired at the rank of Major in 1982.
In 1952, Jack joined the Contra Costa Consolidated Fire Department in Walnut Creek,
California, where he retired as a Battalion Chief. Those that worked for him said that he was
the best they ever knew at what he did.
After retirement, he moved to Minden, Nevada. He was an instructor and glider tow pilot at
America’s preeminent soaring location; continuing to fly a variety of aircraft including his
homebuilt Kitfoxes, the last of which he only recently sold, flying well into his nineties.
Jack continued to exercise his privileges of the Amateur (ham) Radio Operator license
that he received during WWII until just days before W6VXT was to become a “Silent
Key” at 98.
He will be sorely missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting this humble soul.
This very accomplished gentle man is survived by his greatest accomplishment, his
wonderful daughter Judie, and son in law Mark.
