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Jack Humphrey Obituary
Completing his last lap and reaching the checker flag, Jack Humphrey passed away peacefully at home in American Canyon among loved ones and in the care of Hospice services after a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses.
Jack is survived by his loving companion, Susie Dorsett LaPointe of Sacramento, his sisters Nadine Strauss (Bob), of Lucerne, and Sharon Leuzinger of Lucerne, brother Charwin Ward of Spring Valley, and stepfather Billy Ward of Lakeport; niece Sharise (Elias) Santana and children, Cameron, Victor, and Cadence and nephews Kahlin (Ashley) Leuzinger and children, Takara and Amara, and Michael (Cherie) Leuzinger and Caden. He is additionally survived by Doris Harville of Upper Lake; Sue Harville of Upper Lake and son Scott Harville (Joan) and children, Leanne and Tut; Kathy Harville Scott of Woodland and her children, Kim Scott, Kris Scott, Kelly Sagara (Jon) and children, Troy and Trent, and Chuck Scott (Becky). He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Humphrey and mother Barbara Wulff Humphrey Ward; his wife, Patti Lynn Harville Humphrey in 2003, and his father-in-law, Tut Harville.
Born in Woodland, Jack graduated from Upper Lake High School with the class of 1965 and attended Santa Rosa Junior College. He completed a 36-year career with Del Monte Foods in Nov., 2007, where he served in a number of capacities, retiring as an international transportation analyst.
Jack's passion was auto racing. He became an ambassador for the Legends of the Pacific racing series over the last 14 years, after racing in other divisions dating to the early 1960s. Known for his quick smile, he was always ready to loan engines, gears, carbs, ignition systems, suspension parts, and anything else needed to keep other drivers coming to the track week after week, according to his fellow racers. He loved racing and he loved the San Francisco 49ers. He was 49 years old when he became a heart transplant recipient, a 15-year milestone he celebrated this April, so it's no surprise that Jack's red LOP race car bore the magical number 49.
He was grateful for the opportunity he was afforded to extend his life through a donated heart.
The other loves of Jack's life were his many canine companions, with the most recent being his bulldogs, Patti and Buster, the latter a rescue dog. In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to NorCal Bulldog Rescue, 13520 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, CA 94062-4553 or to Hospice Department, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, 975 Sereno Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., on Thursday, June 16, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, June 17, at Upper Lake Cemetery, 780 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake.
For further information, please call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or visit chapelofthelakes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jack Humphrey
Paul Clark
June 25, 2011
I am deeply saddened to learn of Jack's passing. I met Jack in the mid 70's, racing with him at Vallejo Speedway. Truly a great guy; He would be the first one to help you out with a part or any other assistance you might need, and then go out and race you hard!! We were neighbors for awhile in Vallejo, then kind of went different directions. However, he has remained on my Christmas card list all this time! Our paths crossed again a few years back in Roseville at All American Speedway, and he still was the same great friend and competitor. He shall be sorely missed, and fondly remembered. My heartfelt condolences to Susie and the family. With the utmost respect...
June 24, 2011
I met jack back in the 99 dollar claimer day's. he would give you that big grin and would be the first to be there if you needed any part's or help. He was a true racer there are not many like him left He will be truly missed.
Chuck HACKBARTH
June 24, 2011
I met jack back in the 99 dollar claimer day's. he would give you that big grin and would be the first to be there if you needed any part's or help. He was a true racer there are not many like him left He will be truly missed.
Linda (Cramer)Turner
June 21, 2011
To Jack I light this candle in fond memory.
June 17, 2011
Sorry to hear about Jack's passing. My friendship with Jack started back at Vallejo Speedway in the 70's. I know the racing world will miss his badly. My heart goes out to the family, but knowing he will join many great racers from the pass. God Bless Jack. Bonnie Chisholm
Jack and some of his boys at Stockton 99 Speedway.
Ted Clement
June 16, 2011
I first met Jack Wulff Humphrey in 2005 when my son Keith and I joined the Legends of the Pacific racing organization. One of the things that I really enjoyed about racing with these folks is that they were easy to get to know, they would help anyone who had problems during a race, and they were generous to a fault with parts and advice. The person that most embodied that spirit was Jack Humphrey. He would loan parts and offer advice whenever he was asked. As an older racer who had taken a twenty plus year hiatus from competition, and only a few years younger than Jack, it was a pleasure for me to see him having so much fun competing with and many times beating the younger racers. My son has done the driving for us since 2006 and he and Jack had some pretty exciting races against each other. We will miss him terribly at the races and trophy dinners. He was a one of kind gentleman racer, and it was a true privilege to have known him.
God Bless Jack and the #49,
Ted, Connie and Keith Clement
Stockton, CA
Emalee Morrison Schmitt
June 16, 2011
I will always remember Jack as being the big guy on the football field, always trying for the perfect tackle. I wished I could have seen the big guy crawl through that little race car window. Jack had a big heart for everyone. May Susie and the rest of Jack's family remember him with love and that he is now at peace.
June 15, 2011
Unofficially representing the class of 1966 Ron and I offer our heartfelt condolences to Susie and Jack's loving family. We are in the process of planning the class reunion for 1965 and 1966 and had hoped, against all odds, that Jack could join us this year. We all have fond memories of our semi-innocent youth and our adults struggles and heartaches. We wish Jack Fair Winds and Following Seas in his next journey.
Dianne and Ron Rodrigues and the Class of 1966.
Don Hansen
June 15, 2011
With Jack's passing, another legend will live on. His legacy dates back to UL High when he became known for his infamous "Humphrey Crush" carries as the Cougars moved inside the red zone and he was moved from his front line spot. He was virtually unstoppable. Jack transferred that competitive reputation to the race car track. He was a great, fun guy and will be sorely missed.
Matthew Callan
June 15, 2011
Nancy and I are so sorry to hear about Jack. I believe that I remember the name when I was at Upper Lake for a short time in the 8th grade. I started with Mrs. McClintock in Kindergarten Jerry Barney, Frank Skellenger, Gary Bloxham, and Ted Toren. I went there up to the 6th grade. Jerry Barney and I were good friends when I was there. I lived at Saratoga Springs with my Grandparents most of the time, and our house was on Pitney Lane, on the way to Lake Pillsbury. Nancy and I will pray for you in our prayers.
Matthew C. Callan
5774 Pennyroyal Dr. Pollock Pines, Ca 95726. 530-303-3360
Gerald Barney
June 15, 2011
There we all were in 1964, Jack & many others of us, working out for our upcoming football season. Looking out to the East we spot a fire starting to burn up the hillside, just a mile from the Upper Lake High School football field. The coach said "dismissed, if your going to assist the UL Fire Dept.".
Off we raced. Jack and several of us helped save an old barn and a small house. One of Jacks souvenirs was an old tacometer, I hope he used it to win in his racing career!
Jerry Barney
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