Jack James Love

Former Astoria resident, 79Jack James Love, 79, of Kingsland, Texas, died Tuesday, July 6, 2004 in Waxahachie, Texas.

Mr. Love was born Sept. 19, 1924 in Astoria to Chester and Olive Love.

Mr. Love graduated from Astoria High School in 1942. He was a member of the AHS’s 1941 and 1942 Oregon State Championship Basketball Teams. As a young man, he also participated in the Astoria Regatta sailboat races. While enrolled at Oregon State University, Mr. Love was a Theta Chi fraternity member.

Between 1943 and 1946, he served in World War II with the U.S. Navy as a signalman in the South Pacific. He received the Presidential Unit Citation and the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal.

On Aug. 7, 1948, he married Nellie Wirkkunen in Astoria. She died Aug. 8, 1978 in Anaheim, Calif.

Mr. Love helped build the family home above Tapiola Park and was involved in the community effort of constructing the Tapiola Pool. In 1950, he joined the Astoria Fire Department where he served as a lieutenant until 1959. At that time, he moved to Anaheim, Calif., where worked in protective services for North American Rockwell until his retirement in 1980. Family members say he was proud of his work on a space shuttle.

In 1979, he married Carolyn Hantsche. She survives, residing in Waxahachie.

After his retirement, Mr. Love moved to Silverton and then to Kingsland.

Family and friends say they will remember his sense of humor and quick wit, his love of swimming and razor clams. They say he was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Mr. Love was a life member of Veteran of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Nancy Turpen of Astoria and Christine Love Jackson and David Jackson of Escondido, Calif.; two granddaughters, Daydre Turpen of Astoria and Jory Love Jackson of San Diego; a grandson, Luke Jackson of Fresno, Calif.; a great-grandson, Dylan Jackson of Fresno; a sister, June Daniels of Mount Vernon, Wash.; a sister-in-law, Eileen Wirkkunen Thompson of Astoria; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Love.

At Mr. Love’s request, no memorial will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie is in charge of arrangements.