Jack Wrightson, 85
Jack Wrightson, 85, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2008, at home with his family after an extended illness. He was born July 8, 1922, to Stuart and Grace Hasking Wrightson in Meaderville in Butte.
Jack attended grades one through 12 in Butte and graduated from Butte High School in 1940.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific Rim during World War II on the sub tender, USS Proteus, as a deep-sea diver. He was proud to have served on the U.S. sub tender that captured the largest sub in the Japanese Navy, and was one of the ships that escorted the Missouri into Tokyo Bay for the signing of the peace treaty ending W.W.II. Jack's unit was then assigned to Tokyo to patrol the caves where Japanese ammunition was hidden.
After returning to Butte, he married and attended several colleges before settling at the University of Montana in Missoula, where he received his teaching credentials in counseling and school psychology. His first teaching job was in Drummond, where he ended up as school superintendent for the second half of the school year.
Having a family to support, Jack temporarily left education and returned to Butte with his wife and daughter, Fern, where he worked as a personnel manager for Stafford Chemical Company. He traveled for Stafford all over the United States.
The call of teaching was stronger, and Jack once again left Butte and returned to the University of Montana, where he received a Master's Degree in education and administration with an endorsement in special services. His third child, Jay, was born during this time.
Jack's career in education continued in Troy, where he was principal of Walter F. Morrison School, and then in Columbia Falls where he was a 'Jack' of all trades serving as principal of the Canyon schools, supervisor of special services for grades one through 12, supervisor of the school district transportation program, and head of his favorite ladies known as 'the hot lunch bunch.'
Jack retired in 1985, with the dream of being a man of leisure and golf. His love of education followed him into retirement, where he continued to volunteer to work with children in the schools.
Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Grace; beloved stepfather, Charlie; infant sister, Fern; and son, Jay.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra; and his children and stepchildren, Fern Hanley, Jess Wrightson, Jan Osier and Marty, Lisa Brown and David, Michael Lee and Terri, and Leslie Coyne and John. He will be remembered by his 16 grandchildren, Chris and Carrie, Tyler, Stephanie and Mike, Jennifer, Timothy, Lisa Marie, Jesse, Brianna, Kelly, Kayla, Katie, Rosie, Abby, Jacob, and Riley; and four great-grandchildren, Keianna, Audrey, lkarus and Halle. They will remember him as their Grandpa Jack, whom they loved for his humor, love of learning, and love of children.
At Jack's request, no services will be held. Following cremation, there will be a family burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the newly formed Boys and Girls Club at P.O. Box 7475, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is in charge of the arrangements.