Obituary of Jack Louis Deming

Jack Deming November 22, 1929 - November 4, 2016 Jack Deming passed away peacefully at home on November 4, having been amongst close family and friends for some time. He is the son of Ralph and Eleanor Deming and grew up in Aurora, Illinois as the youngest of one brother and two sisters Ralph, Harriet and Vivian. He is survived by his wife Tracy, sister Vivian, daughters Kathleen and Chris, and sons Michael and Alan. Jack was "Papa" to six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Jack served in the US Navy from 1947-1951, stationed in Kodiak, Alaska and Tongue Point, Oregon. Upon his discharge, he settled in Portland where he met his first wife, Joyce. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Tracy, and they shared 56 years of love and adventure. Jack was a professional truck driver with Southwest Delivery for many years, then three years as one of the original Ice Road Truckers on the Alaskan pipeline. Returning to the lower 48, Jack and his brother-in-law Royce owned and operated a terracing business using heavy equipment to help farmers improve land usage in the Goldendale area. He took a final turn at the wheel with his own rig while operating a freight hauling business in Kettle Falls, Washington. He and Tracy began their last career change as property managers in the Portland-Vancouver area until retirement in 1991. Their lives together were always adventurous and included living in the vast frontier of Alaska and mining for gold in the Yukon. Their favorite destination was Hawaii where they traveled often. Jack was truly a "jack of all trades". He was skilled and creative at woodworking, an electrician, plumber and landscaper when the need arose. He lovingly made many items over the years for family and friends, among which was the black panther that hung for years in the gym at Washougal High. He raced stock cars in the Northwest Stock Car Assn. circuit in the 1950-60s. His familiar black and red number 42 was often near the front of the pack. A talented, hardworking and compassionate person, Jack loved and was proud of his entire family. And we loved him and will miss him dearly. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 16th, at 1pm at Straub's Funeral Home. Following the service, a reception will be held at LaCamas Lake Lodge in Camas. Further information may be obtained by calling Straub's Funeral Home at 360 834-4563.