John Frederick “Jack” Gilhuly was born on August 2, 1917, in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, to Frederick Charles Gilhuly and Jennie Elizabeth Dyer. His father, born in Chicago, Illinois, had moved north to Canada, where he met and married Jennie in Prince Rupert. Not long after Jack was born, the family relocated to Kelso, Washington, where Jack would spend nearly his entire life.

By 1930, 12-year-old Jack was living with his parents in Kelso, growing up during the Great Depression in a working-class home shaped by resilience and strong family values.

On September 3, 1939, Jack married Julia Elizabeth Jacobson. Together, they built a life grounded in love, hard work, and commitment. They raised four children: Gary J. Gilhuly (1941–2022), Judy Gilhuly, Alan Gilhuly, and Larry Gilhuly.

In the final months of World War II, Jack answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Navy on April 20, 1945, and was honorably discharged on March 30, 1946. Though his military service came late in the war, it was a source of pride and a reflection of his strong sense of duty. His service is recorded in the U.S. Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, where he is officially listed as a Navy veteran of WWII.

After returning home, Jack began working for the Washington State Patrol as a State Patrol Driver. He served his community with the same steadiness and discipline he brought to his family life. Whether in uniform or at home, Jack was known for his calm presence, reliability, and deep dedication to doing the right thing.

Jack passed away of natural causes on July 4, 1989, in Kelso, Washington, at the age of 71. He was laid to rest in the community that had shaped his life and where his memory continues to live on.

Although I was born over a decade after he passed, I’ve grown up surrounded by his legacy. As his great-grandson, now 20 years old, I’ve heard the stories — of his service, his quiet strength, and the example he set for his family. He helped build the foundation that still supports us today.

Jack Gilhuly is remembered not only as a veteran and public servant but as a husband, father, and grandfather whose values still echo through the generations that followed him.

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