Jack was born in Seattle on January 2, 1928, to Albert and Nellie (Grey) Berg. He grew up in Gladstone, OR, along with his brother and two sisters. In 1945, Jack joined the US Maritime Service, shortly before the end of WWII. He served in Japan, Singapore, Iran, The Philippines, Aruba and US. From 1946 to 1949, Jack served in the Army, transporting personnel and equipment. In 1950, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Force, where he trained as a radar mechanic and sight system technician, at bases in US and Greenland. In 1951, Jack volunteered to serve in Korea, in the 49th Fighter Bomber Wing, based at Taegu AB, achieving rank of Staff Sergeant. While on leave in Portland, Jack met Annie Pauletich. They married on February 24, 1953. The newlyweds lived in Texas and Colorado until Jack’s honorable discharge in July 1953. They settled in Portland, where they raised two children. Jack worked as a bricklayer and stone mason, eventually owning his own business. On weekends, and especially after retirement, Jack and Annie enjoyed many adventures- traveling in their RV, salmon fishing in their boat, golfing, hunting, and camping. Jack had a strong artistic bent, evidenced in his stonework, and later in his oil paintings, with landscapes and lighthouses his specialty.
Jack and Annie remained in their Portland home until 2021, when they moved to Bozeman, Montana, to be near family.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife Annie, son Gary, brother Carl, and sisters Betty and Lillian. Jack is survived by daughter Nancy (Ray); granddaughters Chelsey (Evan) and Natalie; great granddaughter Winnie, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack’s memorial will be held in Portland at Lincoln Memorial Park, 11801 SE Mt Scott Blvd at 1:00 pm on June 18th. Military honors service will follow at 2:00 pm at Willamette National Cemetery.
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