JACK DARTNELL

1923 - 2011

Jack Dartnell, age 88, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2011 in Mount Vernon, WA.

He was born on July 28, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Fredrick and Madeline (Knudson) Dartnell.

Jack attended Antioch High School in Antioch, CA.

He apprenticed as a machinist by Columbia/US Steel in Pittsburg, CA where he retired after 30 years. After moving to WA State he worked for Skagit Steel/Bendix Corp for 10 years and again retired. Jack also worked for Aerojet General of Sacramento, CA. He belonged to the Steelworkers Union and the Machinist Union.

While in high school he built his first boat, a small catamaran, which he sailed in the delta of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.

After high school he joined the Navy and like so many of his generation he fought in WWII. He first served on the liberty ship "David Dudley Field" and drove landing crafts, putting men and machines on the beach in the Aleutians at Attu, Adak and Kiska. After leaving the Aleutians he was sent to San Diego where he taught new recruits to swim. After 6 weeks in San Diego he shipped out to the South Pacific aboard the "USS Windsor", a troop transport. Aboard the Windsor they were involved in several major battles in Saipan (The Battle of the Philippine Sea), Guam, Peleliu (putting the 1st Marine Division assault landings on the beach), Guadalcanal and Leyte.

After the war he married LaVerne Oldaker, of San Francisco, on December 25, 1946 and together they raised two children, Edward and Carol. Living in Pittsburg and Antioch, CA and retiring to WA State. They were married 30 years when LaVerne passed in 1976.

A few years later he married Dorothy (Cook) White and acquired five more children, Roger, Terry, Mike, Sharon, and Susan. They were married 20 years when Dorothy passed in 1997.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Fredrick and Madeline (Knudson) Dartnell, of Salt Lake City, Utah; brothers Elmer and Reta (Scott) Dartnell, of Antioch; Lacey and Melva (Spjut) Dartnell and Merlin and Phyllis (Raleigh) Dartnell, all of Salt Lake City.

Jack loved camping with family, traveling, playing games, reading, and the Mariners! His hobbies were photography and woodworking. His woodworking skills were very meticulous, imaginative and above all beautiful. He made toy boxes for the grandkids, little jewel boxes, turned bowls, wall art, oil lamps, and the most amazing clocks. One clock, in particular is a modern style "grandfather" clock for which Jack made each and every piece including the gears, all made of wood.

Jack is survived by his son, Edward and Diane (McCain) Dartnell; daughter, Carol (Dartnell) and (Denis) Delahoyde; step-sons; Roger and (Mary) White, Michael and (Kim) White, Terry White and companion Cathy; step-daughters; Sharon (White) and Ron Grooms; Sue White and partner Gayle Brenchley; 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Jack also had a friend and companion, Elva Sather, who passed in more recent years.

There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 3:00pm at the Union Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, WA with a reception to follow.

You may share your memories of Jack, and sign his online guest register at www.kernfunrealhome.com

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.