Born April 26, 1935 -
Passed Away Peacefully December 11, 2012
Jack was born April 26, 1935 in Yakima, Washington to Firman and Myrtle Grigsby. Jack was the third child born to the family with two older sisters, Barbara and Betty. Jack was the last remaining member of the immediate family.
Jack’s early years were spent living in Yakima with summers visits to the family ranch in nearby Selah. Eventually, the family relocated to Selah where Jack received his education. When Jack was growing up you would find him riding his horses, Plugger and Judy , as well as caring for other animals needing his attention. His craftsmanship also started in his formative years, beginning with leather work and wood work.
Jack explored a few job opportunities in Yakima before moving to eastern Washington to begin his career. He was first hired by the Boeing Aircraft Company where he was involved with the Minute Man Missile Program. This job provided him an opportunity to travel and live in several states including Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas just to name a few. Jack then moved to Renton to work at Boeing’s Seattle Base Aerospace Division. We were surprised when he recently revealed that while there he helped fabricate the wheels on the lunar land rover that eventually landed on the moon. Jack then moved on to become a Building Inspector with the City of Ellensburg from 1967 to 1974. In August 1974, he decided it was time to fulfill a dream and moved his family to Greenwood, BC, to develop the ranch in an area he had travelled through as a teen with his father. After spending a few years developing the ranch he started working as Maintenance Supervisor at the Boundary School District. His desire to continue to try something new then led him to start Grigsby Construction, a company he successfully ran for more than twenty years.
After years of hard work, Jack retired to Grand Forks where he built a new home, worked in his shop and puttered around the property in his bobcat. Jack also found time, in his later years, to visit with friends for coffee and would often be seen along the main street in Greenwood. The past few winters Jack and his partner Charlene traveled to warmer climates exploring the southern states and staying with long time family friends. He always enjoyed peoples’ company and was good about staying in touch.
Jack was very proud of his children: Steve, Kevin, Michelle, Jay, Jill and stepson Rocky. He wanted his children to experience the life he lived and more. The move to the ranch provided the kids an opportunity to learn farm skills, such as, growing hay, milking cows, feeding chickens, tending to animals and ultimately learning the value of hard work. Life on the ranch also included fun activities of driving tractors, riding motorbikes, gardening, fishing and enjoying the lifestyle of living along Boundary Creek. In the spring and fall Jack would take his kids and their horses to participate in local Gymkhanas where he was very proud of their accomplishments. As the kids grew and started their careers and families, Jack enjoyed providing guidance, support, encouragement, knowledge and love to his children and grandchildren. He led by example.
Jack will be remembered as a gentle, kind and generous father, grandfather and partner. He was an amazing listener and a true friend who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Jack was predeceased by his parents and sisters. He will continue to live in the hearts of his loved ones: Charlene, sons Steve (Barb), Kevin (Gwen), Jay, Rocky and daughters Michelle and Jill (Rich) and grandchildren Veronika, Spencer, Chloe, Emerson, Sawyer and Pearl. We would like to invite family and friends who shared in Jack’s life to join us at the Greenwood Cemetery in the placing of a plaque and Jack’s remains. Date will be announced at a future time.