John "Jack" Border, 98, will be remembered for his strength, kindness, and loyalty to his loved ones.
Jack was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 16, 1924, to Guy and Lillian Border. He had one older brother, Austin. At the age of seven, the family moved to California, eventually settling in Fresno in 1934. He attended St. Therese grammar and high school. Jack loved riding his bike, playing "Kick-the-Can", and baseball with his neighborhood pals. He graduated from Corvallis High in 1944, after moving to Oregon that year. He returned to Fresno and joined the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II within the Medical and Signal Corps. He re-enlisted while on active duty and served in the Korean War. Jack returned home to Fresno in 1952 and enlisted in the Army Reserve where he would achieve the rank of Master Sergeant, along with many accolades from his 23 years of service. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 509 and the VFW. Jack loved the military and serving his country; he made sure to attend the Fresno Veteran's Day Parade each year, most years holding a flag on a float!
Jack began working at Pacific Bell Telephone Company and married. He had his first two children, Alex and Katie. After his marriage ended, Jack met Merilyn Peterson, the new, beautiful receptionist at Pac Bell. The two went out to lunch and their love story began. In February of 1960, they married. He gained two bonus children, Charlyn and Gary; and six years later had their daughter, Murray.
Jack worked for Pac Bell for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He began working as a paraprofessional in special education for Fresno Unified. His hard work did not stop there, in 1989 Jack graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Fresno alongside Murray, a moment he would refer to as his proudest accomplishment.
Jack did not know a stranger, he loved making friends by cracking jokes and exchanging stories. Once you met Jack, you had a friend for life. He was a devoted writer, often sending letters and cards to loved ones near and far. Jack was an avid traveler, planning family trips to Hawaii and Canada, seeing historical sites in Baltimore and Korea, and taking cruises to Alaska and Panama. Jack was blessed to travel back East on the Honor Flight with Murray in 2015. He enjoyed reading, conducting his model train set, tending to his gardens, and hosting family gatherings at his home.
Jack was a man of strong character, faith, and generosity. He served on the board of directors for the Fresno Halfway Houses, dedicating his time and life experiences to help others. Jack was a devout Catholic and spent much of his time attending Mass at St. Therese and visiting with lifelong friends. He loved bringing others together; organizing a reunion for all St. Therese students as committee chair (1995). One of his final projects was a dedicated memorial on behalf of St. Therese grammar and high school alumnus.
Jack modeled how to lead with integrity, appreciate the small moments, share stories, and always say "I love you". His family hopes to emulate those traits in their own lives. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Merilyn; brother, Austin; son, Alex; daughter, Charlyn; grandson, "Corky"; granddaughter, Wendy; great-great granddaughter Kira Rayne.
Jack is survived by his daughter Murray Rigby and her husband Scott; son Gary Mitchell and his wife Phillys; daughter Katie Rojo and her husband Frank. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Rosary: August 31 at 7:00 pm Mass: September 1 at 10:00 am, both at the Shrine of St. Therese in Fresno, Ca.
Jack was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 16, 1924, to Guy and Lillian Border. He had one older brother, Austin. At the age of seven, the family moved to California, eventually settling in Fresno in 1934. He attended St. Therese grammar and high school. Jack loved riding his bike, playing "Kick-the-Can", and baseball with his neighborhood pals. He graduated from Corvallis High in 1944, after moving to Oregon that year. He returned to Fresno and joined the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II within the Medical and Signal Corps. He re-enlisted while on active duty and served in the Korean War. Jack returned home to Fresno in 1952 and enlisted in the Army Reserve where he would achieve the rank of Master Sergeant, along with many accolades from his 23 years of service. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 509 and the VFW. Jack loved the military and serving his country; he made sure to attend the Fresno Veteran's Day Parade each year, most years holding a flag on a float!
Jack began working at Pacific Bell Telephone Company and married. He had his first two children, Alex and Katie. After his marriage ended, Jack met Merilyn Peterson, the new, beautiful receptionist at Pac Bell. The two went out to lunch and their love story began. In February of 1960, they married. He gained two bonus children, Charlyn and Gary; and six years later had their daughter, Murray.
Jack worked for Pac Bell for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He began working as a paraprofessional in special education for Fresno Unified. His hard work did not stop there, in 1989 Jack graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Fresno alongside Murray, a moment he would refer to as his proudest accomplishment.
Jack did not know a stranger, he loved making friends by cracking jokes and exchanging stories. Once you met Jack, you had a friend for life. He was a devoted writer, often sending letters and cards to loved ones near and far. Jack was an avid traveler, planning family trips to Hawaii and Canada, seeing historical sites in Baltimore and Korea, and taking cruises to Alaska and Panama. Jack was blessed to travel back East on the Honor Flight with Murray in 2015. He enjoyed reading, conducting his model train set, tending to his gardens, and hosting family gatherings at his home.
Jack was a man of strong character, faith, and generosity. He served on the board of directors for the Fresno Halfway Houses, dedicating his time and life experiences to help others. Jack was a devout Catholic and spent much of his time attending Mass at St. Therese and visiting with lifelong friends. He loved bringing others together; organizing a reunion for all St. Therese students as committee chair (1995). One of his final projects was a dedicated memorial on behalf of St. Therese grammar and high school alumnus.
Jack modeled how to lead with integrity, appreciate the small moments, share stories, and always say "I love you". His family hopes to emulate those traits in their own lives. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Merilyn; brother, Austin; son, Alex; daughter, Charlyn; grandson, "Corky"; granddaughter, Wendy; great-great granddaughter Kira Rayne.
Jack is survived by his daughter Murray Rigby and her husband Scott; son Gary Mitchell and his wife Phillys; daughter Katie Rojo and her husband Frank. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Rosary: August 31 at 7:00 pm Mass: September 1 at 10:00 am, both at the Shrine of St. Therese in Fresno, Ca.
John "Jack" Border, 98, will be remembered for his strength, kindness, and loyalty to his loved ones.
Jack was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 16, 1924, to Guy and Lillian Border. He had one older brother, Austin. At the age of seven, the family moved to California, eventually settling in Fresno in 1934. He attended St. Therese grammar and high school. Jack loved riding his bike, playing "Kick-the-Can", and baseball with his neighborhood pals. He graduated from Corvallis High in 1944, after moving to Oregon that year. He returned to Fresno and joined the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II within the Medical and Signal Corps. He re-enlisted while on active duty and served in the Korean War. Jack returned home to Fresno in 1952 and enlisted in the Army Reserve where he would achieve the rank of Master Sergeant, along with many accolades from his 23 years of service. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 509 and the VFW. Jack loved the military and serving his country; he made sure to attend the Fresno Veteran's Day Parade each year, most years holding a flag on a float!
Jack began working at Pacific Bell Telephone Company and married. He had his first two children, Alex and Katie. After his marriage ended, Jack met Merilyn Peterson, the new, beautiful receptionist at Pac Bell. The two went out to lunch and their love story began. In February of 1960, they married. He gained two bonus children, Charlyn and Gary; and six years later had their daughter, Murray.
Jack worked for Pac Bell for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He began working as a paraprofessional in special education for Fresno Unified. His hard work did not stop there, in 1989 Jack graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Fresno alongside Murray, a moment he would refer to as his proudest accomplishment.
Jack did not know a stranger, he loved making friends by cracking jokes and exchanging stories. Once you met Jack, you had a friend for life. He was a devoted writer, often sending letters and cards to loved ones near and far. Jack was an avid traveler, planning family trips to Hawaii and Canada, seeing historical sites in Baltimore and Korea, and taking cruises to Alaska and Panama. Jack was blessed to travel back East on the Honor Flight with Murray in 2015. He enjoyed reading, conducting his model train set, tending to his gardens, and hosting family gatherings at his home.
Jack was a man of strong character, faith, and generosity. He served on the board of directors for the Fresno Halfway Houses, dedicating his time and life experiences to help others. Jack was a devout Catholic and spent much of his time attending Mass at St. Therese and visiting with lifelong friends. He loved bringing others together; organizing a reunion for all St. Therese students as committee chair (1995). One of his final projects was a dedicated memorial on behalf of St. Therese grammar and high school alumnus.
Jack modeled how to lead with integrity, appreciate the small moments, share stories, and always say "I love you". His family hopes to emulate those traits in their own lives. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Merilyn; brother, Austin; son, Alex; daughter, Charlyn; grandson, "Corky"; granddaughter, Wendy; great-great granddaughter Kira Rayne.
Jack is survived by his daughter Murray Rigby and her husband Scott; son Gary Mitchell and his wife Phillys; daughter Katie Rojo and her husband Frank. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Rosary: August 31 at 7:00 pm Mass: September 1 at 10:00 am, both at the Shrine of St. Therese in Fresno, Ca.
Jack was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 16, 1924, to Guy and Lillian Border. He had one older brother, Austin. At the age of seven, the family moved to California, eventually settling in Fresno in 1934. He attended St. Therese grammar and high school. Jack loved riding his bike, playing "Kick-the-Can", and baseball with his neighborhood pals. He graduated from Corvallis High in 1944, after moving to Oregon that year. He returned to Fresno and joined the United States Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II within the Medical and Signal Corps. He re-enlisted while on active duty and served in the Korean War. Jack returned home to Fresno in 1952 and enlisted in the Army Reserve where he would achieve the rank of Master Sergeant, along with many accolades from his 23 years of service. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 509 and the VFW. Jack loved the military and serving his country; he made sure to attend the Fresno Veteran's Day Parade each year, most years holding a flag on a float!
Jack began working at Pacific Bell Telephone Company and married. He had his first two children, Alex and Katie. After his marriage ended, Jack met Merilyn Peterson, the new, beautiful receptionist at Pac Bell. The two went out to lunch and their love story began. In February of 1960, they married. He gained two bonus children, Charlyn and Gary; and six years later had their daughter, Murray.
Jack worked for Pac Bell for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He began working as a paraprofessional in special education for Fresno Unified. His hard work did not stop there, in 1989 Jack graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Fresno alongside Murray, a moment he would refer to as his proudest accomplishment.
Jack did not know a stranger, he loved making friends by cracking jokes and exchanging stories. Once you met Jack, you had a friend for life. He was a devoted writer, often sending letters and cards to loved ones near and far. Jack was an avid traveler, planning family trips to Hawaii and Canada, seeing historical sites in Baltimore and Korea, and taking cruises to Alaska and Panama. Jack was blessed to travel back East on the Honor Flight with Murray in 2015. He enjoyed reading, conducting his model train set, tending to his gardens, and hosting family gatherings at his home.
Jack was a man of strong character, faith, and generosity. He served on the board of directors for the Fresno Halfway Houses, dedicating his time and life experiences to help others. Jack was a devout Catholic and spent much of his time attending Mass at St. Therese and visiting with lifelong friends. He loved bringing others together; organizing a reunion for all St. Therese students as committee chair (1995). One of his final projects was a dedicated memorial on behalf of St. Therese grammar and high school alumnus.
Jack modeled how to lead with integrity, appreciate the small moments, share stories, and always say "I love you". His family hopes to emulate those traits in their own lives. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Merilyn; brother, Austin; son, Alex; daughter, Charlyn; grandson, "Corky"; granddaughter, Wendy; great-great granddaughter Kira Rayne.
Jack is survived by his daughter Murray Rigby and her husband Scott; son Gary Mitchell and his wife Phillys; daughter Katie Rojo and her husband Frank. He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Rosary: August 31 at 7:00 pm Mass: September 1 at 10:00 am, both at the Shrine of St. Therese in Fresno, Ca.
Gravesite Details
Inurnment: 14 Oct 2022
Family Members
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