August 18, 1937 - June 21, 2017
Jack passed away on June 21, 2017 at Touchmark in Spokane. He was born in Spokane at Sacred Heart Hospital to Rex and Meme Rector on August 18, 1937. Jack graduated from St. Anns Grade School in 1951 and Gonzaga Prep in 1955. He then enlisted in the US Navy completing four years as an Electricians Mate 2nd Class on the Destroyer USS James C. Owens (DD776.) One of his greatest joys while serving was making lifelong friends especially Sal Sgroi, and John Schmidt. After the Navy, he completed his education with a BS in mathematics from San Fernando State College in Northridge, CA. now Cal State Northridge. While in college he married Julie Graham in 1961. They went on to have four beautiful children and a wonderful life in the country...think chickens, horses, ducks, goats, geese, cats, dogs, hamsters and a huge vegetable garden!! His initial employment after college was as a surveyor for the CA Department of Highways. The interchange of I5 and California 14 was one of his projects. In 1969, he joined the IBM Company as a Systems Engineer in the Spokane office, later transferring to Dallas, TX. He went on to become the SE Manager in Beijing, China. Jack was there during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 and was able to bring a coworker safely out of the country to the US. From Beijing, Jack took a position as SE Manager in the Seattle office. Jack retired from IBM in 2002 and returned to Spokane for his retirement years. He loved working with wood, using his mathematical mind to create precise structures, from a school project of The Pyramid of Giza, to pickle ball paddles, to a horseshoe pit leveled within a 64th of an inch. He was an avid sports fan. As a youngster, he listened to all the Brooklyn Dodgers games always wagering bets with his brother Ron. He played golf whenever possible with sons Casey and Jim, and cherished the many golfing road trips. Other golf buddies included brother Ron and friends Bob Durgan, Denny York, and Jerry Reynolds. He loved advising all on how he thought they should play their game! Upon retirement to Hangman Valley Jack cherished his time with his neighbors and later was grateful for their help plowing the driveway, bringing in the mail, returning the garbage bins and delivering eggs. Our beloved Jack was definitely one of a kind. He might have identified with Mr. Sinatras signature song, I did it my way. Jack, you will be missed by so many. We love you. Godspeed. Jack was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Rex and Ole Rector, and his mother and step-father, Mary and Ellis Snyder. He is survived by Julie Rector, brother Ron Rector (Nancy), sister Gail Quaid (Steve). Children Casey Rector (Sue), Kathy Webb (Steve), James Rector (Liz) and Tina Bennett (Richard). Grandchildren Kellen, Reece, Malea and Cal Webb, Aiden Rector, and Quinn, Ren and Laine Bennett. Nephews/Nieces Peter Stanton (Denise), Barbara Stanton (Matt Miller), Jennette Proctor (Rick), Matthew Rector (Amy), Sally Poutiatine (Michael), Suzanne Rector, Jennifer Guild (Jim), and Bernard Quaid. Great Nieces Rachel Proctor and Allie Montes. Great Nephews Josh and Taylor Proctor. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff from Hospice and Touchmark that took care of Jack with the most exceptional care. Thelma and Louise well never forget you!! A memorial service will be held on August 10th at 3:00 pm at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery Medical Lake.
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