John Richard Branchik was born on January 25, 1966 in Cleveland Ohio to Richard and Barbara Branchik. Jack passed peacefully attended by his mother on March 23, 2012 due to complications caused from colon cancer treatment. Jack was 46 years old and left us too soon.
Jack and his two younger brothers Adam and Nate had many adventures. Starting in Cleveland, Ohio they moved to Boise, Idaho (1972-1977) where they lived on a small farm. 1977 found them in Anchorage, Alaska where they lived 'til 1979 when they moved to Eugene, Oregon.
Jack was a 1985 graduate of Churchill High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society and earned three letters for wrestling. He graduated from S.O.S.C. in 1989 with a B.A. degree in Art. Soon after graduation he joined his brothers on the island of Maui, Hawaii. He returned to Eugene in 2003 with his partner Kita (blue heeler/pitbull cross.)
Jack was an excellent juggler, surfer and skier. He enjoyed the outdoors and lived most of his life in tents and tree houses which he built with recycled material. He lived a simple life that was easy on the environment. He was a good dependable worker and all around handyman. One of his recent employers was Forrest Paint Co. where he worked in the aerosol manufacturing department. The last few years found Jack in the Whittaker neighborhood where he fit into the culture there very well. He had many friends who enjoyed his wry sense of humor and his kind and gentle ways. His grandmother was an important part of his life, a soul mate in many ways, until she passed on March 6, 2012.
Jack is survived by his mother Barbara Houghton, Benton City, Washington; father Richard Branchik, Eugene, Oregon; brothers Adam Branchik of Kanapali, Hawaii, and Nate Branchik of Pahoa, Hawaii.
We will gather together to "talk story" at Jack's Celebration of Life which will be held in conjunction with that of his grandmother Marian Evans (died 3-6-2012) in the garden when the weather warms and the flowers are in bloom.
Please sign the guest book at www.registerguard.com/legacy
Published in Eugene Register-Guard on April 22, 2012
