Jack was born in 1933 in Colusa and grew up in Maxwell, spending his early years on his grandfather’s rice ranch, where his father raised sheep and later cultivated clover seed. That childhood—watching the rhythms of planting, harvest, and livestock—planted in him a deep respect for land, water, and hard work he carried throughout his life.
Sports were a big part of Jack’s early years too. He played football and baseball at Maxwell High, and at UC Davis he played on the water polo team while studying engineering.
At 19 years, duty called, and Jack joined the U.S. Air Force. For more than three years, he served as a flight engineer for Major General Daniel Doubleday, logging over 4,800 flight hours across Europe and North Africa during the tense post-Korean War years. Those travels gave Jack stories that he would share for the rest of his life.
When he returned home, he followed his agricultural roots with passion. Jack farmed rice in the Butte Sink, helped launch the Sutter Rice Dryer, worked with Sierra Mountain Mills, and even developed a rice cake machine that made its way into “Sun Cakes.” Twice he traveled to China as an ambassador for rice farming, sharing his knowledge while also learning from others. His vision and innovation helped shape not just Colusa County agriculture, but the California rice industry.
For his interest in water, Jack served on the NCWA Board of Directors from 1998 to 2013, where he appreciated the regional presence in water policy and he was known as an advocate for innovative water management and infrastructure improvements to enhance efficiency and provide benefits to fish and wildlife in the region. Impressively, Jack served on the Reclamation District 1004 Board for half a century, 34 of those years as chairman. He had a deep understanding of Reclamation District 1004 and his ranches, and he devoted many hours to research, learning, and educating others about the water supplies for this region and the importance of serving water for multiple benefits. His leadership and quiet generosity touched countless lives in Colusa and beyond.
But if you ask friends and family, they’ll also tell you about the lighter side of Jack: the man who loved duck hunting at dawn, skiing into his seventies, hitting the golf course, and casting a fishing line with anyone who’d join him. His energy was contagious, and his optimism drew people in.
Jack leaves behind a large family: his wife Audra; step-son Hans (with Jillian, Harper, and Ethan); step-daughter Hannah (with Justin); granddaughters Adelaide (with Nic and their son, baby Jack) and Hannah; his sister Shirley and her family; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Judy, and his son Jon who was very active in Sacramento Valley water.
Jack’s life showed a steady presence as well as an adventurer, both a community leader and a family man. He will be remembered as someone who gave generously, lived fully, was very gracious with his time and spirit, and he inspired others to do the same. We will miss Jack!
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church, 4th & Jay Streets, Colusa, California. Reception at 12:00 pm at the Colusa Golf Club.
Much of this information was borrowed from the full obituaries in the Colusa Sun-Herald and the Colusa County Pioneer Review.
