John Henry "Jack" Hummel

1925 - 2023

Longtime Alaskan John (Jack) Henry Hummel, 97, died April 21, 2023, in Green Valley, Arizona.
Jack was born May 15, 1925 in Helena, Montana and lived in nearby Deer Lodge for his school-aged years. He graduated from Powell High School, attended the Montana School of Mines for one year and then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as an air-traffic communications specialist during WWII. He was discharged from the service in 1946 and relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska where he met and married Katherine Greimann in 1949. Together they lived in Fairbanks, Big Delta, Yakutat, Kenai-Soldotna and Anchorage. During his years in Alaska Jack was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Air Traffic Control Specialist in stations throughout Alaska, including Flight Service Station Chief in Kenai. In 1971 Jack was promoted to an administrative position by the FAA and relocated to Anchorage where he retired in 1984. Jack was a life-long learner and attended both the University of Alaska in Fairbanks as well as Anchorage. He became the first graduate of Kenai Peninsula College to earn an Associate of Arts degree.
Jack loved to play golf, fish, travel, and hike both in Alaska and Green Valley. He was known for his gentle nature, kindness, sense of humor and devotion to family and friends. His family will remember him fondly as a gentle giant and a true gentleman.
After retirement he and Kathy spent summers in Alaska and winters in Green Valley. Jack had an adventurous spirit and loved traveling with Kathy in their motorhome visiting family and friends around the United States. They enjoyed numerous trips on the Alaska Highway with their children and grandchildren.
Jack is preceded in death by Kathy, married for 63 years, his parents, Janie and Milo Hummel and his three siblings, Charlie Hummel, Andrea Cargo, Jessie Wilson, and grandson Logan Wykis.
He is survived by daughters Janis Hummel, Karen Hummel and husband Mick Wykis, Judy Hummel and husband Robert Kuiper; brother Wes Wadsworth and wife Linda; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, numerous nieces/nephews and family members including brother-in-law Paul Greimann and wife Agnes, and sister-in-law Patty Greimann.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Green Valley Recreation Hiking Club, P.O. Box 1074, Green Valley, Arizona 85622