John Dennis "Jack" Kalina

John Dennis "Jack" Kalina was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 17, 1939, to Ann (Dzubay) Kalina and Jack Kalina. His father, Jack, passed away less than a year later leaving Ann, older sister Sandy and himself in the household.

Jack's mother, Ann, married Merrill Kuehn, a pilot for Northwest Airlines, in October 1943. Two brothers (Leo and Tom) joined the blended family starting in 1945 and after the family moved to Seattle in 1948 sister Merri was born.

Jack graduated from Highline High School in 1957 and then spent one year at Highline Community College. He left school and joined the Army in November 1959, rising to the rank of Specialist (SP5 & E5). He earned awards as an expert marksman and in morse code intercept.

Mother Ann died in 1962, and Jack was honorably discharged from active duty later that year. In 1964 he married Sandy McCollouch and found a small house for them near Burien before moving to their current location on the west hill of Auburn. Their household began to grow when son John was born in 1970 followed by daughter, Kerri, in 1973.

Jack had begun working for Pacific NW Bell when he got out of the Army and worked there for 42 years retiring as the Northwest District Manager. After retiring he worked short stints for Ogden Building Maintenance and Lowe's. He then found a second career with Boeing, retiring again after twelve years.

After retiring the second time Jack devoted his time to family, friends, the cabin and volunteer organizations such as The Exchange Club, Paint Tacoma Beautiful, the Food Bank, Highline High School Alumni Golf Tournament, and yard maintenance for Federal Way United Methodist Church.

His favorite past time included hunting, fishing, and golfing using the family cabin on the banks of the Frenchmen Hills wasteway in Eastern Washington as a home base. He also spent many, many hours maintaining the cabin and grounds.

After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's, Jack passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 86 at the Merrill Gardens Care Facility in Burien, Washington.

He is survived by his wife Sandy, his son John (Kim), his daughter Kerri Kelly (Les), and his grandchildren Kassie, JJ, Sierra and one great grandchild. He is also survived by his siblings, Leo Kuehn, Tom Kuehn, and Merri Kuehn. Besides his father, mother, and stepfather Merrill Kuehn, two other siblings, Sandra Beyl and Dale Kuehn, proceeded him in death.

"Jack always had a ready reply, pleasing to the ear and easy on the eye." He was loved by a great many and we will all miss him.

Remembrances or donations can be made to the Abundant Life Grace Market at the Federal Way United Methodist Church