Jack Eugene Bass

On Thursday, September 18, in Surprise, Arizona, Jack Eugene Bass, 91 years young, passed away peacefully following a courageous battle with cancer.

Jack is survived by Marian Bass, his loving wife of 18 years, and his children with deceased wife Jo Anne Bass (Geddes); Randall, Curtis, Karen, Kenneth, and Gary; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Born in Douthat, Oklahoma, and initially raised in nearby Picher, Oklahoma, Jack was one of twelve children born to Charles Bass and Margaret Bass (Stewart). During the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s, the family moved to Southern California where Jack excelled in sports at Antelope Valley High School, though he was eventually forced to exchange school for work to help support his family. Jack served as a flight engineer in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957, once even flying acrobatics with General Chuck Yeager while at Edwards Flight Test Center in the Mojave Desert. Jack's private sector career included many years at TRW, where he worked in componentry for the U.S. space program.

Jack loved sports (especially golf!), travel, and good food-washed down by copious amounts of ice cream when available! He ran marathons, and he fished and backpacked in the Sierras with his kids (including twice summitting Mt. Whitney). He also loved to volunteer, ranging from Little League baseball coach to church deacon. Mostly, Jack just plain loved living life.

A devout Christian, Jack had love in his heart for all, and he will be missed dearly by those who had the privilege of knowing him. Jack was a natural leader and mentor whose guidance and kind words of encouragement to countless family members and friends were special and invaluable. Though now in the arms of the Lord, Jack Eugene Bass will continue to inspire here on Earth.