Jack Kahle

Jack E. Kahle passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, at the age of 96 after a brief illness. Born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, he graduated from Washburn University before being drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an industrial engineer at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, helping produce munitions during the Korean conflict.After his military service, Jack launched a long and rewarding career in the automotive assembly industry, first with General Motors in Kansas City and Los Angeles, and later with Chrysler Corporation. His work took him from Detroit to Valencia, Venezuela, and back to Detroit where he was plant manager of the Dodge Truck facility for 10 years. He ended his career with Chrysler at the Chrysler Marine facility in Hartford, Wisconsin. Jack then relocated to Portland where he worked as Vice President of Manufacturing for Cascade Corporation.Jack's love affair with flying began at age 16 when he earned his pilot's license. He remained passionate about aviation throughout his life, but especially during his retirement at age 65 - restoring 25 vintage airplanes and spending countless hours at Aurora Airport with fellow members of the Columbia Aircraft Association, swapping stories and sharing sky tales.In 1951 Jack married the girl down the street, Farol Fry, beginning a remarkable 74-year partnership filled with adventure, laughter, and family. Together they raised four children - Jan Palajac (Mark) of Livermore, CA; Gregg of Wilsonville; Lori Pierson of Denver, CO; and Barry of Wilsonville - and built a close-knit family that now includes six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. The extended Kahle clan will gather this Thanksgiving to celebrate Jack's life and continue a ten-year plus family tradition of destination Thanksgivings he loved so much.A private family memorial will be planned by his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Alzheimer's Disease Research at www.brightfocus.org/cureAD or to a charity of your choice.