Jack ( John ) E Packard

Jack was born on November 5, 1932 in Milaca, Minnesota. His parents were Robert Henry Packard and Evva (Miller) Packard. The Packards had ten boys and one girl. Jack was the 9th child.

His brothers were Joyce Alexander (11/13), Robert Edward (9/15), Stuart Earl (8/17), Donald Delyle (7/19), Harry “J” (5/21), Levi James (10/23), Burton Henry (6/25), Francis Eugene (7/29), John Ephraim (11/32), Phillip Delano (11/34) and Mary Anne (3/37).

Jack had two children from his first marriage to Donna Miller. Jacki Lynn Packard and grand-daughter Erin, and son Joe Nelson Packard and grand-children, Angela, Joe, and Michelle.

Jack had a son with his second wife Lynn Houdasheldt, Lance William (Packard) McCrea and grand-children Breanne, Megan, Courtney, and Hailey.

Jack married Bonita Genevieve Davis in 1964, and their loving union lasted 44 years. They did not have any children together; but Bonita had two sons, David Hosea and grandchildren Alexander and Justin, and son Josh W. Hosea and grandchildren Jon M. and Crystal.

His current wife was Isabel (Camarena) Packard, stepchildren Alfredo (Joe) Hernandez, Nallieli Santamaria and Ana E. Osborn, and step-grandchildren Alejandra, Alfredo and Graciela Hernandez and Dylan and Nicole Osborn.

Jack grew up in Milaca, Minnesota. During his youth, the family had a dairy farm. He went to Tibbets Brook Elementary school. He attended Milaca High School during his Freshman and Sophomore years. His family moved to Benton City, WA. where he graduated from the Kiona-Benton City High School in 1950.

On January 10, 1952, when he was 20 years old, Jack joined the Navy for 4 years. He was released from the Navy on December 22, 1955. He received 4 years inactive reserve time per the Truman doctrine. His duty during this time frame was on the USS Princeton CVA 37 (Carrier Fixed Wing Attack). This ship launched sorties on the Chinese and North Korean forces. Jack received the Presidential unit citation for his exceptional Service.

In January 1954, Jack was assigned to the USS Orca 49 (AVP) baby aviation seaplane tender, stationed in the Hong Kong river, and stood for embassy duty. After that, he was assigned to an A\P (Seaplane Tender) Salisbury Sound, until the time his first 4 years of military service were completed.

After leaving the Navy, Jack worked various jobs as farm labor, bartender, etc. In June of 1956, he worked for Northern Pacific RR as a brakeman switchman. During this time, he also worked for his father at The Packard Union 76 at Prosser, WA. He quit the RR and the gas station to work for Boeing Aircraft.

Jack re-entered the US Naval Reserve at Pasco, WA in 1955. He applied for active duty as a TAR (training administration of reservist) at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station. At this time, he changed his rate from Gunners Mate to Aviation Ordnanceman.

Jack transferred to NAS Olathe, KS. on Dec 1, 1967. While at NAS Olathe he changed his rate to AW (Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Equipment Operator). On Jan 1, 1970, he was re-assigned to NAS North Island CA. On Jan 1, 1971, he was re-assigned to NAS Whidbey Island WA. On May 1, 1975 Jack was transferred to NAS Point Mugu CA, his final post.

His last rank in the Navy was CPO (Chief Petty Officer). He retired from military active service on March 17, 1979.

After his military service, he worked various jobs while attending Moorpark College where he received an accounting associate certificate. He then transferred to the University of La Verne, CA. (ULVC) where he graduated with a BS in Accounting degree in Jan 1984.

After graduation, Jack worked for DCAA (Defense Contractors Audit Agency) until April 1986. He then worked for Litton Computer Services as Security Administrator. Jack retired from civilian work on Dec 1, 1997.

After retirement, Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, visiting relatives, participating in church activities, and attending AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings.

Jack joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004. Years later, he met his current wife, Isabel, at a church meeting. It was love-at-first sight and a whirlwind romance. They courted for three weeks and got married on Jan 31st, 2012 in Oxnard, CA.

Upon his marriage to Isabel, Jack inherited three stepchildren, Alfredo (Joe), Ana, and Nallieli, and five grandchildren. When Ana and her husband Jerry Osborn moved from Newbury Park, CA. to Meridian Idaho in May 2012, Jack and Isabel quickly followed and moved to Idaho in November 2012.

While in Boise, in 2017, Jack proudly received from the AA organization, his 40th year sobriety coin surrounded by his wife, stepdaughters and grandchildren. A couple months before his passing, Jack received his 43rd year sobriety coin from his AA friends.

Jack lived in Meridian, ID for eight years. His life in Boise was a happy time engaged in family activities, church, and AA meetings. He enjoyed family BBQs, local outings, dining out, family movie nights, family celebrations and his association with his AA friends.

Jack’s last years were happy years surrounded by family and friends who loved him very much.

His last hope was that his two favorite nephews Stuart Jr. and Danny would reconcile and be close once again.

Jack will have a small family service on Monday, January 11th 2021, at 2:00p.m. His remains will be interred at the Boise Veterans Cemetery, where he will be sent off with full military honors for his service during the China, Korea, and the Vietnam wars.