John Spencer Williamson

John Spencer “Jack” Williamson, born July 24, 1914 in Seattle, past away peacefully with his loving family at his Clinton home on Dec. 25, 2005.

Jack grew up with horses and raising German Fitch, his first business enterprise in Seahurst.

He graduated Highline High School in Burien as captain of the track and field team and as a record-setting miler and half-miler.

Jack joined the Merchant Marine at age 19 until 1935, then attended Washington State University in Pullman on a track scholarship.

In 1938 Jack was married in Spokane, then moved to California and started a flower farm to supply wholesale florists.

He re-joined the Merchant Marine in 1942 serving the European Theater of operations until his honorable discharge in September 1945 as a Second Officer. He then returned to California to resume flower farming and child raising.

Jack started a new business for retail landscape supply in 1957 and the manufacturer of garden furniture and pre-cast concrete fountains, planters and stepping-stones that became wholesale only in 1964.

Now comes 1965 and Jack married Barbara McShane Reitz and instantly gained four more children.

In 1976 Jack and Barbara moved “home” to Washington state by building the house in Clinton and then resumed their wholesale manufacturing business.

In addition to raising his own three sons, John Jr., Dan and Steve Williamson, he was loving dad to wife Barbara’s children; Steve, Jeanne, Michele and Matthew Reitz.

He had a wonderful way with people, especially with the young. He was a strong father-figure, emphasizing responsibility and hard work with a delightful sense of humor. Many of the neighboring young people also came to work, to learn and then fell under his spell, gaining pride and confidence, all with occasional laughter.

Jack finally retired some 10 years ago and pursued a new hobby: writing letters to the editor.

Jack is survived by Barbara, his loving wife and caregiver, seven children, 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Barbara and the rest of the family is so very grateful to the Careage of Whidbey, the Home Health Care and Hospice of Whidbey group, the entire staff with their unfailingly positive attitude and good humor.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at St. Hubert Catholic Church, 804 Third Street, Langley. A reception will follow at the Bayview Senior Center, 14594 Highway 525, Langley.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make donations to St. Hubert Outreach program or the Make A Wish Foundation.