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John “Jack” Agar
03/15/1915 — 03/31/2014
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Loon Lake, WA
John “Jack” Agar
John "Jack" Agar, our beloved father and grandfather, passed away March 31, 2014 at the age of 99. Jack was born in Loon Lake, Washington March 15, 1915 to John and Margaret Agar. The first of four children, Jack and his brother Bob loved to tinker, fix things and experiment. While Jack was growing up, his parents hired a local electrician to give him piano lessons. Jack said they would hurry through each lesson, because his teacher was also helping him build an electric motor. Jack never did learn to play the piano, but this laid the groundwork for his lifetime career as an electrician and electrical estimator.
Jack attended Washington State College now WSU from 1932 to 1935, studying chemistry and engineering. In 1935 the depression took his college money and he was fortunate enough to get a job working on Grand Coulee Dam. He started as a laborer but was soon working as an electrical apprentice and then an electrician. He worked for a number of years building dams, first Grand Coulee, then Shasta and Hoover Dams. He moved to Seattle Washington and for many years worked for Donald W. Close Co., first as an electrician and later as chief estimator. Jack was a member of the IBEW for 77 years.
Jack met his wife Hilda in 1947 and they were married on Christmas Day. They were married for 62 wonderful years until her death on April 1, 2010. Jack was a great dad and husband, he cherished being with his family and his family cherished him.
Jack and Hilda had two daughters, Kathy and Norma Jean. Both moved to Richland Washington and in 1992 Jack and Hilda also moved to Richland. They lived within a few minutes of both daughters and were able to be very involved in their grandchildren, Scott and Chelsea Hertzel's, lives while they were growing up. Jack loved to garden and would have already had his tomatoes started on the window sills by this time of year. Jack loved to tell stories and jokes. He had an amazing memory and never forgot a joke.
Jack is survived by his daughters Kathy Hertzel Jeff and Norma Jean LaRock, Eric and by his grandchildren Scott Hertzel Ali and Chelsea Blair John-Paul.
At Jack's request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Agar Family Endowment Scholarship at WSU Tri-Cities. Checks can be made out to the WSU Foundation and sent to WSU Tri-Cities Development Office, 2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354, or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Legacy House for taking such kind and compassionate care of Dad during his final weeks.
I was so blessed to have gotten the chance to get to know and love Grandpa Jack when I starting dating and later married his Grandson Scott. All of Scott’s family welcomed me with open arms including Grandpa Jack who gave the best hugs!.
We feel very lucky to have known Jack, he was a wonderful guy. Our thoughts are with his family. You all should feel very good about the love and care you showered on him, especially in his declining years.
Missing you so much already daddy!!! Thank you for being a great man and giving us all the important things in life!!!
We enjoyed getting to know Jack and his great stories. He be missed by his friends.
Steve & Deb
I was so blessed to have gotten the chance to get to know and love Grandpa Jack when I starting dating and later married his Grandson Scott. All of Scott’s family welcomed me with open arms including Grandpa Jack who gave the best hugs!.
We feel very lucky to have known Jack, he was a wonderful guy. Our thoughts are with his family. You all should feel very good about the love and care you showered on him, especially in his declining years.
Missing you so much already daddy!!! Thank you for being a great man and giving us all the important things in life!!!
We enjoyed getting to know Jack and his great stories. He be missed by his friends.
Steve & Deb
Jack was a wonderful person and I was truly blessed to have known him and Hilda. He loved his two daughters and had great stories to tell. NJ and Kathy thanks again for always including me and letting me be part of your family. I truly love you both for that. I will always remember . Much love
Guestbook for
John “Jack” Agar