Obituary of John Joseph List

John “Jack” Joseph List, 86, of Shelton, Washington, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2014 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. His loving wife Jan was by his side, holding his hand, as he departed from this life. Jack was born May 18, 1927, in Long Beach, California, to Charles Elmer List and Ruby Virginia Reddish. He proudly served in the Navy as Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, attached to The Marine Corp, from May 1945 to December 1946. Jack met his wife, Janet, at the Riverside County Superintendent of School’s Office, Riverside, California, in 1962. They were married in April of 1963 in Riverside and spent their courtship and early years of marriage working together to help Jack achieve his goal, earning his EdD in Educational Administration, Business and Finance from the University of Southern California. Jack served in many administrative capacities over the next 25 years in school districts and Junior College districts throughout southern and central California. Toward the end of his career he went back to teaching where he touched the lives of many young people, several of whom have kept in touch with him throughout the years, and he became “uncle” or “grandpa” to their children. Jack was an active member of Cardinal and Gold at USC, Rotary, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Ham Radio Club, and the Masonic Order and Shrine. One of Jack’s greatest passions was boating. He and his wife Janet enjoyed both power boats and sailing, at one point even living on their sailboat, Eagle, in the 1980’s. Retirement found them selling their boat and moving to the mountain community of Idyllwild, exchanging boating for a life as mountain folk. After 18 years, Jack’s failing health forced them off the mountain and back to sea level again. After moving to Shelton, Washington, John and Janet joined the Shelton Yacht Club where they enjoyed the company of “yachties” again after an 18 year hiatus. Over the years, Jack and Jan traveled extensively, enjoying different ports of call in the South Pacific, Europe, the Panama Canal, and the Mississippi River. One of their favorite destinations was Catalina Island, where many happy memories were created with friends and family. Jack was an avid USC fan and supporter, attending numerous Trojan football games and tailgate parties for 46 years. Those who knew Jack well will also remember him for his patriotism, dry sense of humor, and love for his favorite four-footed companions, his Boxers. He is survived by his loving wife Janet Marie List of Shelton; son John Joseph List II and his wife Paulette of Santa Barbara, California; granddaughter Jonnet Garay and her husband Paul of Pleasanton, California; great grandsons Roman, Ryland, and Damien also of Pleasanton; nephew Michael Linnard of Clifton Park, New York; nephew Thomas Linnard, his wife Debbie and their daughters Christine and Janine of La Jolla, California; niece Deborah Azuaje, her husband Carlos and their children Tanya and Christopher of Orlando, Florida and Elena Madriz of Boulder, Colorado; and niece Nancy Biskup , her husband William and their children Julia, Michael, and Patrick of Orlando, Florida. Inurnment will take place in California at a future date. To pay tribute or share a special memory of Jack List, please visit mccombwagner.com. Memorial donations can be made to Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice in memory of John List. Checks can be made to PSHCH with John’s name in the memo line to 3432 South Bay Road NE, Olympia, Washington 98506. Do not ask me to remember, Don't try to make me understand. Let me rest and know you're with me, Kiss my cheek and hold my hand. I'm so confused beyond our concept, I am sad and sick and lost. All I know is that I need you, To be with me at all cost. So do not lose your patience with me, Do not scold or curse or cry. I can't help the way I'm acting, Can't be different though I try. Just remember that I need you, That the best of me is gone. Please don't fail to stand beside me, Love me 'til my life is gone.