Obituary for Donald "Jack" McPherson
DONALD JOHN "JACK" MCPHERSON
1930-2022
Jack McPherson (a.k.a. Donald John McPherson, Jr.) was born in Ross, California on March 26, 1930. After graduating from San Francisco State College in 1953, he was commissioned Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Korea and Viet Nam Wars, held four command positions, and served in four ships as a Surface Warfare Officer. He retired in 1976 with the rank of Commander and settled in Coupeville, Washington where he was active in the community until his death. He owned two businesses, served on the Coupeville Town Council, and subsequently served as Mayor of Coupeville.
He established Coupeville Community Education and was its supervisor for ten years. Over the years he was active in school, civic, political, and artistic endeavors. Jack was a member of the Lions, PTA, Audubon Society, Whidbey Playhouse, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), the Military Officers' Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 58. Assisting his wife, Joan, he was one of the first people to start the movement to preserve Ebey's Landing in what became the Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve. Jack later served on the Ebey's Landing Trust Board. He was also a major participant in the development of the Island County Veterans' Memorial located at the Island County Courthouse.
Jack's favorite hobbies were sailing and acting. He performed in numerous plays at the Whidbey Playhouse and WICA. He wrote and published a fictional novel, "One More Sunrise," which was influenced by his Navy experience in the Viet Nam War, where he commanded an Inshore Undersea Warfare Group (IUWG) located on a large delta on the Southeastern coast of Viet Nam. He also ventured into writing poetry occasionally.
Jack McPherson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan, his son, Neil, and his daughter, Molly. He had five grandchildren, Duncan McPherson, John Malcolm (Jack) McPherson, Hawthorne Wolfe, Melanie Wolfe, and Camilla Wolfe. Jack died at the age of 92 on September 6, 2022, from heart failure. Memorials may be sent to Gifts from the Heart Food Bank at: 203 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA, 98239. He requested no memorial service and suggested the time saved be spent on enjoyable family activities.
1930-2022
Jack McPherson (a.k.a. Donald John McPherson, Jr.) was born in Ross, California on March 26, 1930. After graduating from San Francisco State College in 1953, he was commissioned Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Korea and Viet Nam Wars, held four command positions, and served in four ships as a Surface Warfare Officer. He retired in 1976 with the rank of Commander and settled in Coupeville, Washington where he was active in the community until his death. He owned two businesses, served on the Coupeville Town Council, and subsequently served as Mayor of Coupeville.
He established Coupeville Community Education and was its supervisor for ten years. Over the years he was active in school, civic, political, and artistic endeavors. Jack was a member of the Lions, PTA, Audubon Society, Whidbey Playhouse, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), the Military Officers' Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 58. Assisting his wife, Joan, he was one of the first people to start the movement to preserve Ebey's Landing in what became the Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve. Jack later served on the Ebey's Landing Trust Board. He was also a major participant in the development of the Island County Veterans' Memorial located at the Island County Courthouse.
Jack's favorite hobbies were sailing and acting. He performed in numerous plays at the Whidbey Playhouse and WICA. He wrote and published a fictional novel, "One More Sunrise," which was influenced by his Navy experience in the Viet Nam War, where he commanded an Inshore Undersea Warfare Group (IUWG) located on a large delta on the Southeastern coast of Viet Nam. He also ventured into writing poetry occasionally.
Jack McPherson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan, his son, Neil, and his daughter, Molly. He had five grandchildren, Duncan McPherson, John Malcolm (Jack) McPherson, Hawthorne Wolfe, Melanie Wolfe, and Camilla Wolfe. Jack died at the age of 92 on September 6, 2022, from heart failure. Memorials may be sent to Gifts from the Heart Food Bank at: 203 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA, 98239. He requested no memorial service and suggested the time saved be spent on enjoyable family activities.