Jack Lona was born on October 29, 1947 to Kenneth and Florence Lona in Warren, Ohio. They moved shortly after and every several years including Quantico, VA and Cleveland, OH while his father served in the US Marine Corp. They lived in Whittier when Jack started Kindergarten, and then again once his father retired from the USMC and Jack started high school.
After graduating from Pioneer High School in 1968, Jack went into the US Marine Corp and served most of his 3 years in Viet Nam in Communications and Supply. When he began his first job at Texaco, he wanted to learn to drive a truck. Thus began his career in Trucking. After working as a Texaco Fuel delivery driver, he got a job delivering Convention Booth equipment across the country with Universal Displays. Next came Capital which then became LoGex, where he learned about Cryogenic Air Gases starting out as an Owner-Operator. Jack soon advanced into Management positions and continued advancing until he was a Northern California Regional Manager. He decided that he wanted to try working as a Bottom Dump Owner-Operator and enjoyed learning that profession for a few years. He was later able to go back as an Owner-Operator with LoGex , who became Trimac and he worked for them until they had gotten out of the Cryogenic Air Gas business. Jack was able to work for LGT Transport for the last 6 months of his career, once again in the Cryogenic Air Gas business, ending with over 50 years in that industry. Jack was happy to share his experiences and knowledge with many other drivers in his field. He owned many different trucks over his career, all which were consistently well looked after. He was very proud of his work and his equipment, and it showed.
In early 1978, Karen Lutz walked into his life and by the end of the year, they were married. Throughout their marriage they lived in Sunset Beach, where they raised their children Jessica and Christopher. Jack enjoyed participating in the Indian Princess program with Jessica and the Indian Guides program with Chris, sharing family camping with a great group of friends.
Jack never forgot his Norwegian roots, being modest and self-deprecating. Jack was a great story teller and was a wealth of detailed knowledge. He loved God, his family (including his pets) and his country.
Jack had a short fight with bladder cancer but lived a wonderful life. Jack is survived by his wife Karen Lona, children Christopher Lona and Jessica Lona and her husband Shane DeCaro.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Jack Lona on May 27, 2023 11am at Grace Lutheran Church, 6931 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
If you would like to make a donation, please send to Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/
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