Jack Sherwood Lees passed away Oct. 19, 2009.

Jack was born Jan. 4, 1949 in Medford, Ore. to George and Maxine Lees. He attended school in Central Point, Ore., graduating from Crater High School in 1967.

He served in the National Guard from 1967 to 1973. His 31-year career in telecommunications began in Medford, Ore. and ended in Seattle. He began his career installing telecommunication systems for Western Electric and retired in 1999 as marketing manager responsible for the Boeing account with U.S. West Communications.

After retirement, Jack and the love of his life, Sherrie, moved to their dream home on Whidbey Island, where they thoroughly enjoyed the past 11 years.

Despite his corporate career, he always thought of himself as a true son of Southern Oregon. Jack reached out to many people, mowing their lawns, installing and fixing watering systems, painting their homes and doing any other odd jobs that they would allow him to do — even some they didn’t want him to do. He took great pride in driving and caring for his pop’s 1969 T-Bird.

A special part of his day was breakfast with his many friends at the Freeland Café.

Although Jack had many hobbies and interests, his favorite was spending time with his wife Sherrie.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, George and Maxine Lees. He is survived by his wife, Sherrie; daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Nick Bishop; two granddaughters, Monica and Alexandra; his sister Carol Hale; his brother, Tom; nephews Jarrod and Ryan; and his cousins John Martin, Bill Cassman and John Landers, whom he considered as his brothers.

Jack was truly one of the most loving, honest, caring, one-of-a-kind individuals you would ever meet. He will be remembered and missed by the many he touched.

A celebration of Jack’s life will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club in Langley.