Jack L. Foss

1926 - 2016

Jack L. Foss passed away on April 1, 2016 after declining health that affected his active lifestyle during the last of his 89 years. He was preceded only a few weeks earlier by his much-beloved sister and last surviving sibling, Ramona Mae Mears of Las Vegas, NV. During his final days Jack was surrounded by his loving family while the TV broadcast the latest golf tournament in the background. His sound mind stayed with him to the "finish line", surely a benefit from his decades-long dedication to completing the daily crossword puzzle each morning with breakfast--a morning ritual he shared with his devoted and beloved wife, the late Alida L. (Jansen) Foss (d 2005). A much beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, family meant everything to Jack, who wished only to be remembered as one who tried to be a good "family man". He tried and succeeded, like much of what he did in life! Jack was born on December 7, 1926 in Glidden, WI, son of the late James and Lydia Foss. James' entrepreneurial skills, which included establishment of the Foss Bakery, led to Jack's life-long culinary abilities producing savory and sweets such as his holiday "Divinity" and peanut brittle treats that friends and neighbors enjoyed for decades and fondly remember. A loyal Packer-Backer, Jack's competitive nature played a huge role throughout his life: playing all sports during his years at Menomonie High school; surviving two separate tours of US Army service (one during WWII and the other in Korea); playing minor league baseball in the Boston Braves farm system; and meeting his "second love" of golf, which he not only played but also coordinated for the SIRS Branch 67 after running his own "Monterey Golf Invitational" for 27 years starting in 1966. In 1953, after finishing his US Army service in the Korean War, Jack flipped a coin to see where to move to next--choosing between the warm winter climate of California or Florida after surviving one Korean winter and enduring his many childhood Wisconsin winters. California won! In L.A. Jack met his future bride, Alida, with whom he spent 51 loving years after they married on May 1, 1954. They both then went to work for Aerojet, where Jack worked successfully as a quality control tester of missile and rocket engine components during Aerojet's Minuteman, Polaris, and moon shot era. Jack's competitive spirit continued to thrive as he managed the El Dorado Royal (now Cameron Park) Golf Course and then he went to work for the Mike Salta/Mel Rapton Pontiac (and later Honda) dealerships. After successfully filling various manager roles, Jack retired from Rapton's in the early 1990s. Jack and Alida brought up three children who, along with spouses, survive them: Brent (Patty), Rebecca (Winston), and R. Marie (Bill). Grandchildren include Angie, Kelso, Mandy, Craig, Amy, Zak, Sarah, Rachel, Ben, and Sam, as well as over 10 great-grandchildren. Jack is survived by his sister-in-law Nell Welch of California, and his half-brothers Eugene (Julaine) and John (Sharon) Roach of Wisconsin. Also surviving Jack are many cherished nephews and nieces throughout the U.S. who love and miss their "Uncle Jack", and numerous long-time as well as newer friends who enjoyed Jack's sense of humor and his kind and gentle nature. At Jack's request, in lieu of flowers donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in his memory are welcome: www.stjude.org; 800-822-6344; 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN, 38105