Jackie Morton Obituary (2021) – Albany, OR

Jackie “Jack” Edward Morton

March 18, 1939 – August 16, 2021

Jackie “Jack” Edward Morton was born on March 18, 1939 to Jeremiah and Helen Zelma Izadiah Chostner Morton of Turtle, Missouri. He died at the age of 82 on August 16, 2021 under the compassionate care of the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in Albany, with members of his beloved family by his bedside.

Jack leaves behind his wife Jennie Jo Morton, two sisters, Betty June, Mary Quick, a brother, Fred “Jasper” Morton, five children, Ricky Edward Morton, Steven Mark Morton, Jeffrey Todd Morton, Jerrold Scott Morton, Jacqueline Sue Morton Arase, two stepchildren, Donald Paul Marrs, Kelli Jo Chase, 12 grandchildren, seven stepchildren, eight great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Jeremiah and Helen Zelma Izadiah Chostner Morton, a brother Charles Morton, a sister Geraldine Crane and a stepchild.

No funeral service will be held at Jack’s request. Jack is housed in an alcove in Willamette Memorial Park in Albany. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in Albany.

https://www.samhealth.org/giving/our-foundations/donate-to-albany-general-hospital-foundation

BIOGRAPHY

The third of six children, Jack was described as a warm and extremely curious child. He was often found tinkering with various household items only to find out how they were put together. To him, a phone was much more than a simple calling device, it was great machinery with many working components coming together to create the magic for human connection. This intellectual curiosity would shape the rest of his life.

Jack attended Bunker High School in Bunker, Missouri, which he graduated in 1957. In 1958 he joined the United States Navy. He served as a radioman, sailed around the world and experienced different cultures and lifestyles. After four years of honorable service, Jack was discharged from the US Navy in 1962 and from the US Navy Reserve in 1964. Service to his country had a profound impact on Jack for the rest of his life.

Upon returning to civilian life, Jack worked hard in a variety of jobs, from driving trucks to overseeing a team of aircraft mechanics at Lockheed Martin. In 1973 Jack attended Golden West College and earned an AA degree in mechanical engineering.

In 1974, Jack began working as a sales representative for Solar Turbines, a landmark event that would determine the rest of his life. There he built and maintained large turbine engines that power large facilities such as hospitals and universities at home and abroad. After 25 years of service, he retired from Solar Turbines in 1999.

FAMILY

In 1957, Jack married his high school girlfriend, Rosalee Wisdom, and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. They soon moved to San Diego, California after joining the US Navy in 1958. During their 24 years of marriage, they welcomed four sons and one daughter.

In 1986 Jack Jennie married Jo Clark of Vancouver, Washington. They spent 35 years of marriage with seven children, the latter spent bowling and traveling in their motor home to visit family and friends.

For his 82 years, Jack was a son, brother, father, husband, marine veteran, college graduate, and mechanical engineer. A constant for Jack would be his never-ending curiosity about handicrafts, his love for family and friends, his kind heart and his exuberant laughter – qualities that he passed on to his children. He is much regretted. Online condolences can be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.

Published by Albany Democrat-Herald on August 20, 2021.