Jack Sherman Hill, born Nov. 25 1939, went to be with His father, God in heaven, Oct. 15, 2008 after a courageous two-year battle against the “dragon,” pancreatic cancer.

Jack passed away peacefully at home and is survived by his wife of 24 years, Paulette Hill; nine children, Kim Kidder (Deer Park), Robin Myers (Freeland), David Hill (Spokane), Deeann Bennett (Spokane), Kimberly Tucksen (Yelm), Karin Gilmore (Spokane), Meagan Campbell (Bellingham), Jennifer Bateman (Wellington, New Zealand), and Jessica Ober (Seattle); adopted children, Mark Magney (Spokane) and Joy Meek (Spokane); two sisters; 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several much-loved nieces and nephews. He also has three sisters, the late Mary Phillips (Las Vegas), Lauretta Phillips (North Carolina) and Trudy Potter (Spokane).

Jack faithfully served his country for 20 years, gaining the rank of chief warrant officer (CWO-2) in the Navy. His service included three tours in Vietnam, where he received a Medal of Honor for his bravery in rescuing two men caught in combat. He also served the U.S. in Bikini Island atom-bomb testing in the 1950s.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, and especially Dr. Vincent Picozzi and the staff in ICU at Whidbey General Hospital.

Additionally, they would like to thank Freeland’s Ace Hardware and its employees, along with Vic Hansen and Hansen’s Lumber employees for their prayers and support during Jack’s inability to work due to his illness. Jack played an active role in his community and his church, Whidbey Evangelical Free Church in Greenbank.

The family asks that any monetary gifts be made to Life Services Crisis Pregnancy Center in Spokane. Condolences can be sent to Paulette Hill, PO Box 74, Freeland.

Jack will forever be remembered for his generous spirit, kind heart, selflessness, humility, protection of his family and country, and his compassion for all people.

His spirit and legacy will continue to live on through the lives that he touched, his beloved wife and children, along with each one of their spouses and grandchildren.

An open public memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at Whidbey Evangelical Free Church in Greenbank.