John H "Jack" Christensen

John H. "Jack" Christensen passed away January 18, 2026, at the age of 99. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was a railroad man and artist who was always up for "a little adventure." Jack was born in Auburn, Washington on June 16, 1926, to John B. and Melina Christensen. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II but liked to say he never got closer to harm's way than the Hollywood Canteen. He attended Washington State College (WSU) and the University of Washington. In 1955 he married Geraldine (Gerrie) Newman, and through their loving 70-year partnership raised six children, making their home in Edmonds, Washington, for most of that time. Jack had a lifelong love affair with railroading, from his first job as a teen around the Auburn depot to his retirement as the senior locomotive engineer in the area. After retiring, he was active in the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association and the Pacific Northwest Railway Archive, sharing his knowledge and stories at conventions and one-on-one. He deeply treasured the friendships he made with rail buffs from the local area and across the country. Jack was a talented artist, known for his detailed watercolors of railroad and marine scenes. He loved the outdoors, hiking and scrambling in the mountains of Washington, biking local rail trails and sailing on Puget Sound. He passed that love and his sense of adventure on to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling, making friends and hiking the Alps in Europe and cruising in the Caribbean. He is survived by his wife, Gerrie; children Jeannie (Ed) Fischer; Anne Christensen (Kent Pearse); Melanie Christensen; Paul Christensen (Marjorie Howes); and Mary Christensen (John Newhoff); five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Katherine. A funeral Mass will be Wednesday, January 28 at 10:30 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Edmonds, with a reception to follow at the church. Donations are suggested to Habitat for Humanity or a charitable group of your choice.