Jack Glencross, 78
Jack Glencross, 78, passed away at his home in Silverton, Idaho, on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, of an apparent heart attack.
Jack was born Oct. 31, 1926, in Chewelah, Wash., to John Wellington and Mary Catherine Glencross. He moved at a very young age to Burke, Idaho, where he was raised and attended schools until the start of World War II.
Jack enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served in the Western Caroline Islands. He was involved in a major invasion against the Japanese on the island of Pelileu and served his country proudly.
Jack returned to his home town after the war, and married Ellen Arnita "Nita" McCorkle on May 24, 1947, at the Methodist Church in Burke. He went to work for Hecla Mining Company at the Star Mine.
Jack returned to the Marine Corps in November of 1951 where he served in the Korean Conflict until November of 1952. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, he returned to Burke, where he went back to work at the Star Mine. Jack started as a mucker, worked up to a miner, contract miner, then worked for several years as the safety engineer for Hecla, serving all the companies' units including the Star Mine and the Lucky Friday mine. He was offered the opportunity to become a shift boss at the Star Mine, where he worked for several years, finally working up to mine foreman.
Jack retired when Hecla Mining Company closed the Star mine down because of depressed ore prices. He enjoyed his retirement years with his wife, Arnita. They enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel to visit their children and grandchildren.
Jack loved hunting, and at one time had taken one of largest bull elk killed in Idaho. He truly enjoyed fishing, camping, square dancing, and especially raising their garden and taking care of their wonderful yard and flowers.
He spent many years as the Scout Master for Troop 37 in Burke. He loved working with the Boy Scouts, and often took them camping, on day cookouts, and to their yearly stay at Camp Easton on Lake Coeur d'Alene. He was proud of the many blue ribbons his troop received in all aspects of competition during his tenure as Scout Master. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow within scouting itself.
Jack was a member of the American Legion, the Wallace Elks Lodge, the Silver Valley Squares, and the Square Bears.
Jack will always be remembered as a very caring person who left behind too many friends to number, and a loving family he truly adored. He was loved, respected and admired by all that knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, William "Bill" Glencross, and Harold "Red" Glencross.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Arnita, at the family home in Vallard Addition; three children, Robert Glencross and his wife, Dorothy, of Kalispell, Mary Perkins and her husband, Randy, of Kellogg, Idaho, and Debi Lawrence and her husband, Gary, of Walla Walla, Wash. He is survived by one sister, Thelma Toombs, of Spokane; grandchildren, Robert Hill of Osburn, Idaho, Chris Hansen of Menifee, Calif., Errin, Chris and Whitney Glencross, all of Kalispell, Heather Shennan of Kellogg, Idaho, Trisha Martin of Tacoma, Wash., Mickael Glencross and Amanda Mangarero, both of Walla Walla; and 14 wonderful great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the United Church of Christ in Wallace, with the Rev. Darryl Therrian officiating. A potluck reception will be afterward at the church.
The family requests memorials be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Jack's name. Shoshone Funeral Services is caring for the family.