Jack graduated in the January, 1946 North High class. Jack's next of kin was listed as Mr. and Mrs. Norman Taylor Jenney, 3721 9th Street, Des Moines, IA. His service number was ____________.

Before leaving Des Moines, Jack and Ernie had their first child, Karen Anne. After moving to Ohio, they had their second daughter (me), Linda Sue. In 1961, Jack accepted a position with American Potash Corporation (later Kerr McGee Chemical Corporation) in Los Angeles, California, and in 1962 their third child was born, Leslie Diane. All three girls were five years apart, almost to the day, and born in different states, so Ernie always joked that she wasn’t moving out of California since each new state brought a new baby!

Jack’s mother, Madalene Jenney and Ernie’s parents, Ernest and Alma Herron, followed them out to California. Karen, Linda and Leslie attended high school and college in the Southern California region. Grandchildren soon followed, Linda had a daughter, Brianne Jennifer in 1983, and a son, David John in 1985. Karen had a daughter, Hayley Madalene in 1989, and Leslie had two daughters, Danielle Catalina in 1992 and Nicole Deanne in 1994.

In 1998, Jack and Ernie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; their daughters treated them to a weekend at a posh resort near San Diego. Jack and Ernie loved traveling, favorite spots being Pismo Beach California, San Diego, and of course, Hawaii.

After Jack retired from Kerr McGee, and Ernie from her duties as medical technologist for a local pediatrician, Jack and Ernie moved to Temecula, California, near San Diego. Leslie and her husband also relocated to Temecula, as did Karen. Jack died on April 2, 2000 after a massive heart attack. His daughter Karen died later that year, on November 18, 2000 after a short illness. Ernie died quietly on July 14, 2002, she had been ill for quite some time and never really adjusted to life without Jack.

Jack and Ernie both passed away before the great-grandchildren started making their appearance. So far, David has produced a step-granddaughter Gabriella, daughter Jaylin Marie, son Caden Elijah, and another baby girl who will make her appearance in February. Hayley just had a baby girl last week, Amy Carolina. Nicole is due to give birth to a boy, Hunter, at the end of October. Both Jack and Ernie were only children, so the family tree is definitely branching out in the next generation!

Jack was a man with a wonderful sense of humor, he was dedicated to his family and he made sure all of us had a good start in life. He was an imposing figure, and he scared the daylights out of his daughters’ suitors – but we knew underneath that grumpy exterior was a man who would do anything for his little girls. He enjoyed all his grandchildren, and he was proud of all of us.

Jack and Ernie would both want to send their congratulations to everyone on the 65th anniversary of their high school graduation. I hope you have a fantastic reunion, and know that a part of Jack and Ernie will be there with you, celebrating.