Jack Dearth

Jack Westley Dearth, 61, of Missoula, unexpectedly and suddenly passed away on Sunday,  March 3rd, 2024 in his home.

 Born in Aberdeen, WA to Merna and Lawrence Dearth on April 30, 1962, he would become the oldest of 3 brothers. Although he grew up moving across the US multiple times as the son of a naval officer,  Jack always identified with his time in Monterrey, CA where he was a record-setting pole vaulter, Summerville, SC as part of the Green Wave football team where he would graduate high school in 1980, and with Washington state where his mother grew up on a farm that he would frequently visit with his family.

 His time at the University of Washington earned him a degree in Expository Writing, many lifelong friendships, and the love of his life Kimberly Jean Smith. They were married on June 23rd, 1985 and would go on to have two sons, Lawrence and Jack II, before settling down in Port Orchard, WA amongst their families and becoming members of Bethany Lutheran Church.

 Jack's career began in the service and air freight industry and ended as a VP of Residential Real Estate Appraisal for Columbia Bank. He also spent years as a ski instructor alongside his son Jack II where he was able to share one of his greatest passions with his friends, family, and students. However, his favorite job was being a husband, father, brother, son, and grandfather. One of his happiest moments was getting to see his eldest granddaughter learn to ski and finally get to ski with her and his son Lawrence.

 His faith, strength of character, charisma, and warmth endeared him to many, made him a godfather to 5 different families, and made him a fixture in his communities. Jack and Kim's beloved husky dogs were known to sit outside their favorite apres ski restaurant to greet patrons and “check IDs.” If you made it past them you'd meet a man whose strong and friendly handshake told you everything you would need to know about him – a man who spent his life enjoying every adventure big and small alongside his wife.

 He had recently moved to Missoula in 2021 in support of Kim's new job opportunity and to tackle a new adventure. In his short time in Missoula, he fell in love with the city, the people, his new congregation at Living Savior Lutheran Church, and of course the mountains.

 He is survived by his wife Kimberly; mother Merna; brother Brett, his wife Hilary, and son Brett II; brother Bradley and his wife Dawn; son Lawrence, his wife Kelsey, and their daughters Logan Joy and Lakyn June; son Jack II and his wife Marlena; and many, many more friends and family members whose lives he touched. 

 His memorial service will be held on March 23rd, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in Port Orchard, WA at Bethany Lutheran Church with Pastor Tony Pittenger officiating.