Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
John Henry “Jack” Denslinger Jr., died at Mid-Columbia Medical Center on Jan. 19, 2018. He was born on the family farm on upper Five Mile Road, The Dalles, Ore., on Sept. 7, 1928, to John Henry Denslinger and Minerva Roberts Wetmore.
Jack attended classes for his first eight years at the Dutch Flat School, about one and one-half miles from his home. When he went to high school in town, he lived with Uncle Charley and Aunt Mary Obrist during the week and worked after school at Brady’s Market to help with expenses. He got to know The Dalles city streets very well as he delivered groceries to residents.
After high school, Jack worked for Wasco County Zone 2 until he went into the Army and deployed to Korea. After his discharge in August 1951 he worked for Inland Navigation, Oregon State Forestry and then bought some heavy equipment and started his own construction business, all the time still taking care of the farm. He worked in the woods many years, then went to work for farmers, doing their SCS work. Many farms in the area have been enhanced by his work with his D6C.
Jack married Rose on Nov. 21, 1956. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Many happy days were spent in the Steens Mountains and at the Oregon Coast, camping and fishing with family, often joined by his siblings and their families.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lowell and Donald Wetmore; sisters, Barbara Gilbert and Arlene O’Conner.
Jack is survived by his wife Rose; daughters, LaDonna (Sam) and Kate; grandchildren, Allyson (Quinn), Bryan (Linzie), and Melanie (Loren); great-grandsons, Dylan, Ezra, Ira; great-granddaughters, Zoey and Zailey; brother, Richard (Daina) Denslinger.
The girls and I wish to thank Ben Pate for the outstanding care he gave Jack these last seven years. Ben walked Jack through some difficult times and helped the girls and I keep up with him. Many thanks to the wonderful care from the doctors and nurses at MCMC and a special thank you to Courtney.
Viewing at Spencer, Libby and Powell will be Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday from 9-10 a.m. Funeral service will be Saturday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at Spencer, Libby and Powell 1100 Kelly Ave Burial will be at the Three Mile IOOF cemetery followed with a reception at the Eagles Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fort Dalles Museum in Jack’s honor.
