Jack Gordon Mace

In Loving Memory of Jack Mace

July 31, 1948 – September 15, 2025

Jack Mace was a man whose strength was never loud, but always felt. He carried himself with quiet confidence, calm, steady, and kind. The kind of man who didn’t need to fill the room with words to make you feel safe. His was the kind of love that anchored people steady in the storm, patient in the waiting, and gentle in every season of life.

Born on July 31, 1948, in Laurel, Montana, Jack grew up under big skies and open fields, the kind of place that teaches you how to work hard, keep your word, and take care of those around you. Those lessons shaped everything that followed.

After graduating from Laurel High School in 1967, Jack attended Eastern Montana College before joining the U.S. Navy in 1969. His service took him to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he fell in love with the ocean and the rhythm of island life. More importantly, he learned what it meant to serve with pride and purpose. When his time in the Navy ended, Jack carried that same sense of duty and integrity into everything he did.

In his professional life, Jack was an engineer, thoughtful, precise, and dependable. He worked with Fluke in Everett, served as an electrical engineer in the coal mines of Gillette, Wyoming, and ultimately spent nearly thirty years at Naval Base Kitsap–Bangor with Lockheed Martin, retiring as a crane engineer in 2014. He was the man people counted on, the problem-solver, the steady hand, the one who got things done the right way, every time.

But the heart of Jack’s story isn’t found in his work; it’s found in his people. 

Jack was, above all else, a family man. His wife, Susan, was the love of his life, his best friend, his compass, his constant. For 54 years, their love was the center of his world. To everyone who knew them, it was clear: the sun rose and set around Susan. He adored her laughter, leaned on her wisdom, and found his greatest joy in the life they built together. Their marriage was a true partnership, built on trust, humor, and unshakable devotion.

He loved his children with the same unwavering heart. Patrick (with husband Matt), Kelley (with husband Kayle), and Kevin (with wife Amanda) were his pride and joy. Jack would have done anything for his kids and often did. His sacrifices were countless and usually quiet: the long hours, the steady support, the quiet encouragement that reminded them they were never alone. He celebrated their victories, guided them through challenges, and taught them by example what it means to be kind, loyal, and trustworthy.

Later in life, his world grew even brighter with the arrival of his grandchildren, Quyn, Jyles, Grayson, and Keagan — the light of his life. His eyes lit up whenever they entered the room. Their laughter was his favorite sound, their happiness his greatest joy. To them, he wasn’t just “Grandpa.” He was their hero, their storyteller, their biggest fan. Jack’s friendships were another cornerstone of his life, long-standing, loyal, and full of laughter. For decades, Friday nights were sacred: a standing ritual with a growing group of friends who became like family. Over the years, that circle expanded, filled with laughter, deep conversation, and the comfort of shared meals and cold beers. Whether meeting at a local spot or traveling together to faraway places, their bond remained the same, rooted in loyalty, joy, and genuine care. Friends like Bob, Kim, Patty, Wally, and so many others who became like family were a constant in his life, part of a decades-long rhythm of companionship and humor that never faded.

Among his dearest friends were Dick and Kathy Holland of Wyoming, with whom he had formed a friendship spanning since childhood, built on road trips, camping adventures, football games, and countless shared stories. Together, they sang, laughed, and made memories that became family legend. The Hollands weren’t just friends; they were part of Jack’s chosen family, and their bond will always be remembered with love.

Family also meant Lane, Susan’s brother, and in every way that mattered, Jack’s brother too. The two shared more than family ties; they shared an unspoken loyalty, a lifetime of laughter, and a deep respect for one another. Rarely did they miss a football game together, yelling at referees, cheering at every play, and daring each other to get louder. Lane’s wife, Suzy, was someone Jack cared for deeply. She was there for both Jack and Susan during difficult times, offering love and support when it mattered most. Jack’s love for both Lane and Suzy was endless, a reflection of how deeply he valued family both by blood and by choice.

Jack was calm and caring, but also full of humor and heart. He loved corny jokes, the kind that made you groan before you laughed anyway. He had a laugh that filled a room and a singing voice that filled a car. Family trips often turned into sing-alongs, and movie nights were sacred events complete with a “snack smorgasbord” and a running commentary from Jack that was usually better than the movie itself.

He built family traditions that became legend: Saturday night burger night, barbecued steak with his signature sautéed mushrooms, and the kind of home projects that often ended in laughter (and occasionally, a tumble from the roof while hanging Christmas lights). Jack turned ordinary moments into lifelong stories.

And then there was football.

Jack loved sports, but football was his truest passion. Saturdays were reserved for the University of Washington Huskies, and Sundays were sacred for his beloved Seahawks. He was a loyal fan long before the glory days, through the ups, the downs, and every heartbreaker in between. He never lost faith. Whether yelling at the TV, celebrating a perfect play, or ribbing Lane for being too loud, Jack loved the game with his whole heart. Football wasn’t just entertainment; it was ritual, connection, and pure joy shared with those he loved.

Jack’s faith in people, in love, and in life never wavered. He believed in showing up, in lending a hand, in choosing kindness. His strength was steady, his humor warm, and his love for his family unending.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; his children and their spouses, Patrick & Matt, Kelley & Kayle, and Kevin & Amanda; his grandchildren, Quyn, Jyles, Grayson, and Keagan; and his sister, Liane Muller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alta (Faust) and John Mace, and his brother, Jerry Mace.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Greater Hansville Community Center, where friends and family will gather to share stories, laughter, and love in honor of the incredible man who gave so much of himself to others. Next summer, Jack will be laid to rest with military honors in his hometown at Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, Montana.

Jack’s story is one of love, loyalty, laughter, and quiet strength. He was a husband devoted beyond measure, a father and grandfather who gave endlessly, a friend whose loyalty never wavered, and a man whose heart made the world brighter for everyone who knew him.

Rest easy, Jack. Thank you for every moment, every lesson, every laugh, and every ounce of love you gave. You were — and always will be — so deeply loved.