John Forbes Fletcher ('Jack') was born December 12, 1923 to Charles V., Sr. and Estella Florence (Forbes) Fletcher in Vancouver, WA. He was called home by Jesus in the early morning hours of December 20, 2009. He was 86.

Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jessie T. Fletcher; three daughters and their husbands: Marcia (John) Moreno, Linda (Tom) Woodall, Cheryl (Gary) Tolar; Teresa (Steve) Clouse; grandchildren: Ben Moreno (Deirdre Curley), Alyson (Phil) Hernandez, Michael Woodall, Melissa Woodall, Amanda Brandt (Adrian Rodriguez), Kimberly (Casey) Pierce, Nicole Tolar (Roger Russell), Ryan Tolar, Shannon Brandt-Stice, Jennifer Paloma; foster daughters Heather and Signa; great-grandchildren: Justin Moreno, Caleb Moreno, Danielle Haley, Zach Allbee; sister-in-law Mitzi (Chuck) Fletcher; brother-in-law Louis Towne; sister-in-law Arlene Towne; numerous nephews and nieces; and his dog Cheyenne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Richard L. (Dick) Fletcher and wife Mary; brother Charles V. 'Chuck' Fletcher, Jr.; nephew Ronald Fletcher.

Service to his church and country was very important to Jack. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European theater as a paratrooper and MP in France with 13th Airborne Division. His division was also trained and ready to ship out for a jump over Tokyo. A defining moment in history made this jump unnecessary. Following the war he attended Washington State College (now University) where he met and married his beloved Jessie. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in June.

Jack arrived at Hanford in 1950 after finishing his master's degree in Nuclear and Chemical Engineering at WSU. He retired from 50 years working for G.E., Westinghouse and Battelle as a senior engineer. He was active in technical organizations: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemical Society, American Nuclear Society and Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity. He traveled extensively for work during his career.

Jack and Jessie had a passion for travel and he enjoyed researching his pioneering ancestry. Together they traveled throughout Europe including his ancestral Scotland; the area in France where he served in WWII; a People to People Nuclear trip to China; Southeast Asia including Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand; Mexico and the great USA.

He was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kennewick; past chairman of Benton County Republican Party and serving as precinct officer for nearly 50 years; member of American Legion and VFW; worked with Red Cross; served 13 years on City of Kennewick Park Commission; was Past Master of Kennewick Masons and served as secretary for Scottish Rite for many years; was a Member of El Katif and Columbia Basin Shrine Club and their Legion of Honor.

Jack was a passionate, kind and gentle man who loved nature, science, animals (he had a special way with dogs), people and his family. He will be missed.

The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of Callaway Gardens, Royal Columbian and Hospice for all the love given to our family.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 26, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kennewick. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Tri-City Chaplaincy Hospice.