Jake passed away on June 22, 2017 after a long battle with colon cancer. Jake was born to Loren and Marilyn Abuhl in Ankeny, Iowa on April 26, 1942. He lived on a farm, the oldest of 8 brothers and sisters. Jake graduated from North Polk High School and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Brewer. He began his career at the John Deere Tractor company. When he started working for Boeing in 1966, they moved to Wichita, Kansas and then to Everett, Washington in 1968 to work on the 747 program where he was promoted to the lead man. A pilot himself, in 1973 he left Boeing to start his own company called Jake's Aircraft Welding and Sheet metal that later became AirMetal Northwest, specializing in aircraft repair. This led him to participate in the investigation of many aviation accidents, including the Pan Am Flight 103 in Lockerbie. He went on to create several more corporations including ASAP and MIH (Make it Happen). In the late 70’s, he became a board member and then the Chairman of the School Board for Lakewood High School near Arlington. Those who knew him would say he never really retired. Jake is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara; Sons: Timothy, Daniel and Jonathan: Daughters; Laura, Jacquelyne, Jennilee and Julianne. He has 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by many.
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