Jack Ray Morrow

Jack Ray Morrow died peacefully at age 92 on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, in his apartment at Brookdale Bend, a memory care facility in Bend OR. He was born January 17, 1930, in Wilder ID and raised as a cowboy on ranches near Vale, OR and Ellensburg, WA. Shortly after graduating from Ellensburg High School, he met and married his lifetime love Phyllis Joann (Smith) Morrow in 1950. The two made their home on his parents' Singing Hills Ranch near Ellensburg before bravely moving to Alaska in 1957 where Jack gave up his cowboy life to become a career road maintenance specialist, first for the Territory of Alaska's Bureau of Public Roads, then for the State of Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. In 1986 Jack retired as a district director for the Department in Valdez, AK. Toward the end of his career Jack was recognized as the Department's preeminent snow avalanche expert, designing and implementing avalanche control programs for the state's highways and airports. His advice was also sought for control operations for the Alaska Railroad as well as private ski resorts and even the Alyeska Pipeline. Phyllis died in 2000 and Jack moved in 2005 to Bend, OR to live with his daughter, later with a grandson, and finally with a son before illness forced a move to Brookdale where he resided for the last months of his life. Jack enjoyed hunting and fishing and absolutely loved horses. In Alaska he found ample opportunity for hunting and fishing and in Bend he renewed his passion for horses, acquiring and caring for several. His faith guided him throughout his life; he accepted Christ as a young boy and both he and Phyllis actively served in the churches they attended and in the communities they lived. Jack was preceded in death by Phyllis, his parents John and Mildred, and his brothers and spouses: Bill and Bernice and George (Dean) and Marilyn. He is survived by his four children Craig (Penny) of Middleton ID, Chris (Sharon) of Bend OR, Melody (David) Spicer of Ellensburg WA, and Brian (Jennifer) of Roseburg OR, and by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Final arrangements are pending.

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Jack Ray Morrow

January 17, 1930 - November 24, 2022