A pioneer from the incorporation-era of the city of Garden Grove, California, Jack was the city's first superintendent of parks and also was the last surviving charter member of The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival when it began in 1958.
As Jack had his hand in nearly every city park built, his biggest and proudest achievement was helping design and create Atlantis Park (aka Atlantis Play Center).
With his several decades with the Strawberry Festival, the lasting impact was the "opening day" which was one dedicated for children with disabilities. The children, for free, were able to enjoy the amusement rides and have the day as their own. Jack spearheaded it each year including his last, the 60th annual in 2018.
KiwanisLand, another well-known (private) park in the city, Jack designed that as well. As a longtime Kiwanian, Jack dedicated many years, almost every day, in helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the park. He did this until health issues in his final months had him take a step back.
Jack was the recipient of many awards over the years for his dedicated service and volunteerism. Some of them include Cypress College's Americana Citizen of the Year from Garden Grove (2001), Garden Grove Man of the Year (1983), Garden Grove Kiwanian of the Year (1989) and the Garden Grove Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year (1991-92).
After a brief bout of pneumonia, Jack passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He was survived by his wife, Marge, three children and six grandchildren. A well-attended memorial service was most appropriately held for him at KiwanisLand a week after his passing.
As Jack had his hand in nearly every city park built, his biggest and proudest achievement was helping design and create Atlantis Park (aka Atlantis Play Center).
With his several decades with the Strawberry Festival, the lasting impact was the "opening day" which was one dedicated for children with disabilities. The children, for free, were able to enjoy the amusement rides and have the day as their own. Jack spearheaded it each year including his last, the 60th annual in 2018.
KiwanisLand, another well-known (private) park in the city, Jack designed that as well. As a longtime Kiwanian, Jack dedicated many years, almost every day, in helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the park. He did this until health issues in his final months had him take a step back.
Jack was the recipient of many awards over the years for his dedicated service and volunteerism. Some of them include Cypress College's Americana Citizen of the Year from Garden Grove (2001), Garden Grove Man of the Year (1983), Garden Grove Kiwanian of the Year (1989) and the Garden Grove Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year (1991-92).
After a brief bout of pneumonia, Jack passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He was survived by his wife, Marge, three children and six grandchildren. A well-attended memorial service was most appropriately held for him at KiwanisLand a week after his passing.
A pioneer from the incorporation-era of the city of Garden Grove, California, Jack was the city's first superintendent of parks and also was the last surviving charter member of The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival when it began in 1958.
As Jack had his hand in nearly every city park built, his biggest and proudest achievement was helping design and create Atlantis Park (aka Atlantis Play Center).
With his several decades with the Strawberry Festival, the lasting impact was the "opening day" which was one dedicated for children with disabilities. The children, for free, were able to enjoy the amusement rides and have the day as their own. Jack spearheaded it each year including his last, the 60th annual in 2018.
KiwanisLand, another well-known (private) park in the city, Jack designed that as well. As a longtime Kiwanian, Jack dedicated many years, almost every day, in helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the park. He did this until health issues in his final months had him take a step back.
Jack was the recipient of many awards over the years for his dedicated service and volunteerism. Some of them include Cypress College's Americana Citizen of the Year from Garden Grove (2001), Garden Grove Man of the Year (1983), Garden Grove Kiwanian of the Year (1989) and the Garden Grove Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year (1991-92).
After a brief bout of pneumonia, Jack passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He was survived by his wife, Marge, three children and six grandchildren. A well-attended memorial service was most appropriately held for him at KiwanisLand a week after his passing.
As Jack had his hand in nearly every city park built, his biggest and proudest achievement was helping design and create Atlantis Park (aka Atlantis Play Center).
With his several decades with the Strawberry Festival, the lasting impact was the "opening day" which was one dedicated for children with disabilities. The children, for free, were able to enjoy the amusement rides and have the day as their own. Jack spearheaded it each year including his last, the 60th annual in 2018.
KiwanisLand, another well-known (private) park in the city, Jack designed that as well. As a longtime Kiwanian, Jack dedicated many years, almost every day, in helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the park. He did this until health issues in his final months had him take a step back.
Jack was the recipient of many awards over the years for his dedicated service and volunteerism. Some of them include Cypress College's Americana Citizen of the Year from Garden Grove (2001), Garden Grove Man of the Year (1983), Garden Grove Kiwanian of the Year (1989) and the Garden Grove Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year (1991-92).
After a brief bout of pneumonia, Jack passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He was survived by his wife, Marge, three children and six grandchildren. A well-attended memorial service was most appropriately held for him at KiwanisLand a week after his passing.
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