Obituaries: John “Jack” S. Nicholson (Sept. 17, 1918 – April 14, 2011)

Jack passed away peacefully on April 14, 2011, at Addie Meedom Retirement Home in Crescent City, where he has lived and been loved for the past four years. His son was present to share his last days.

Jack was born in Michigan City, Ind., on September 17, 1918. He was raised along with  younger brother (Dick) and sister (Betty), both predeceased him. Jack’s education began in a one-room country school house.

Due to the family’s extreme economic hardship, Jack’s education was temporarily interrupted at age 16 to enlist with the Civil Conservation Corp. After several months he returned home to help run his father’s lumber mill. Eventually Jack purchased and operated a mill of his own before his family moved to Morton, Wash. Near Morton the family built and operated a sawmill, supplying the railroad with clear-grade railroad ties.

In January 1942, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He earned his wings and eventually rose to First Lieutenant. He flew C46 cargo aircraft throughout the South Pacific before General McArthur approved his honorable discharge in 1945. Jack returned to Morton, assisting his family after his father was killed in a tragic logging accident.

It wasn’t long before Jack fell in love with one of Morton’s few schoolteachers, Lorraine Lundin. Within a year they married and started a family. Business opportunities developed in Northern California and in 1959, the family settled in Crescent City. Jack managed the Caterpillar Tractor dealership until retiring in 1982. Jack was active with his church, Elks, Del Norte Planning Commission, and served multiple terms as a City Councilman. Fishing, traveling and golf were Jack’s favorite pastimes. After 51 years of marriage, Lorraine unexpectedly died in 1998.

Jack found love again and married Jane Daily in July 2000. They enjoyed their many friends and activities in Crescent City before poor health intervened.

Jack is survived by his wife, Jane, son Jack Nicholson Jr. (Deb) in Bend, Ore., and son, Steve Nicholson (Dinah) in Portland, Ore. In addition, Jack leaves seven grandchildren behind, continuing his legacy. They truly miss him and feel blessed to have had him in their lives.

A memorial service in celebration of Jack’s life will be announced. Arrangements under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel of Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wiers.