August 16, 1934 - March 2, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Jack was born in Tucson Arizona to Dorothy and John Wertz. He had a sister Jean that was a couple of years older. He and his sister had a tumultuous childhood which ended up with both of them placed into an orphanage for a few years before other family members rescued him. His sister, who was his great protector, died of an infection soon after.
He spoke of being one of the first street kids in Flagstaff Arizona. His youth was split between Arizona and California where different family members lived. As a teenager his mentor was Uncle Bob who he credits keeping him out of jail or worse. Dad has forever after tried to imitate Bob by helping other kids in his adult life. He purposely raised his family in a manner that did not reflect his upbringing in his younger years.
His working on different ranches in his youth made him want to have a ranch of his own. His college was funded by the GI bill, after serving 2 years in the army, as well as many jobs such as road and farm work and paving driveways.
After finishing college, he then joined the LA assessor's office as a real estate appraiser. He talks of appraising the LA airport, Howard Hughes Industries and was part of a crew who appraised the Town of Reno with its casinos etc.
During this time, he had met and married Margaret Wharton who came to LA from London Ontario with her parents, her dad being a surgeon with the VA hospital. With that connection her dad had bought a ranch in Smithers BC where some Canadian relatives lived.
Thus, when my grandfather wanted to sell Riverbend Ranch at the end of Raymond Road, Dad jumped at the chance to have his own ranch. We moved there in August of 1969.
Dad, Ray Collingwood and Lowell Davidson constructed the log building that houses Remax today and so started North Country Reality and Appraisals.
He had many stories of his times in LA with chance meetings with Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Cheryl Ladd (who was 3 years old) when dad worked on her father's chicken ranch...
His main love however was the North and the people here. After a divorce he met and became life partners with Margaret Clay from the Kispiox. They traveled the world together and back home ran the Kispiox Sportsman Lodge and did appraisals together. He always says he was so lucky to have Margaret in his life.
Sadly, Margaret passed 2 years ago after a long health issue. Margaret and Jack developed a close community friendship in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico that extended to his passing.
Dad leaves behind his sons David (Sharie), Don, his daughter Jeannie, and his ex-daughter-in-law Martha. Also, Margaret's sons Patrick (Barb), Gord (Mary Lou), Jock (Deb), and daughter Cathy. PLUS, his many grandchildren and great grandchildren from both sides.
His many stories (not jokes) will be passed on down through the generations of family members and friends......
There is no plan for any services at this time as per dad's request.
In lieu of flowers just smile and say hello to a passing stranger.