John Frederick 'Jack' Gorton, 92

John Frederick “Jack” Gorton, 92, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2011, with his family by his side.

Jack was born Jan. 5, 1919, in Portland, the son of Harry D. and Ora Irene Butterfield Gorton. 

He attended primary grade in Kalispell, and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1937. Jack was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1938 to 1939, and employed as an aircraft electrician for Boeing Airplane in Seattle from 1939 to 1942.

In 1942, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Seattle, completed Civilian Pilot Training in Kalispell, and was later graduated from the U.S. Naval Flight Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was commissioned ensign and Naval aviator in March 1944, became carrier qualified and designated “dive bomber pilot.” During his two-year tour of duty in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, Jack became a member of the “Sea Squatters' Club” when he ditched an airplane in the Pacific Ocean and was lost at sea. He was released from active duty in February 1946, but continued to proudly serve his country in the Naval Reserve, during which time he was a member of Fighter Squadron V.F. 901 Flying F4U Corsairs (1953-1958) at Geiger Field in Spokane. Jack was honorably discharged from Naval Service with the rank of lieutenant senior grade on June 30, 1961.

On Feb. 23, 1946, Jack married the love of his life, Mary Theresa Gasperino, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Missoula. They moved to Milwaukee, where Jack attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering as a refrigeration technician. While attending school, Jack also obtained his commercial pilot's license.

During his long career, Jack was employed by Kalispell Sheet Metal, Thibert Appliance of Polson, Manion’s of Kalispell and Equity Supply Company. He retired from Equity Supply in 1983 after 23 years, having served in a multitude of capacities, including refrigeration and water pump serviceman, partsman, store clerk, farm store manager, and irrigation and pump engineer. Jack designed and installed many irrigation and water systems throughout the Flathead Valley, and continued to maintain the irrigation system for the Sam Bibler Gardens and Homeowners' Association well after retirement. He held a master electrician and electrical contractor license. 

For a number of years, Jack was a member of St. Matthew's Church. He was instrumental in planning the Risen Christ Catholic community in Evergreen, was on the Building Committee, and later served as vice president of their first Parish Council. Jack provided church maintenance whenever necessary and was an active member of his parish until he and Mary moved to Buffalo Hill Terrace in 2009.

Jack is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 65 years, and their three children, John Gregory and daughter-in-law, Paula, of Otis Orchards, Wash.; Patrick Joseph and daughter-in-law, Reba, of Clifton Park, N.Y.; and Lisa Ann (Mrs. James B. Stack) and son-in-law, Jim, of Whitefish. Jack is also survived by four beautiful grandsons, Michael and his wife, Kelly, of Walla Walla, Wash.; and Alexander, Nicholas and Joshua Gorton, of Clifton Park, N.Y.; plus great-grandson, Ryan Gorton, of Walla Walla.

Jack is also survived by his brother, Sidney Gorton, of Gresham, Ore., and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Gorton; and sister, Marjorie (Mrs. Earl A. Mills).

Jack loved piloting an aircraft, and was truly a “Jack of all trades” — he was generous and unselfish with his time and God-given talents. He was proud of his heritage and of his three children earning their college degrees — they all played an important part in his life and will miss him dearly. A man of great humility with a dry sense of humor, Jack was a faithful and loving husband, and a gentle and kind father and grandfather. Jack spent his life devoted to his family, his church, and his friends.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 1, at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen, with the Rev. Rudy Bullman and the Rev. Gary Reller officiating. A luncheon will follow the service.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Risen Christ Church Building Fund or Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell. The family is being cared for by Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.

This paid obituary is being run again at the request of the family.