Jack Williams
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Topic created by Orienteer7 on Tue Jan 3, 2023 at 6:38 amKaren Williams posted the following on attackpoint and Sandy Fillebrown forwarded this to DVOA:"It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform that my father, John 'Jack' Williams, passed away on Dec. 27th. He had been battling dementia for several years and took a more serious decline in July 2022. He, thankfully, passed in his sleep, in his home surrounded by persons who cared for him.
I do not yet have specific information regarding services, but can already say that this will likely take place later in the Spring, more as a gathering to celebrate his life." -
Reply by Steve on Tue Jan 3, 2023 at 10:43 amWow, I can not begin to list the things I am thinking right now. As most of you know, Jack recruited me to work in the DVOA kitchen and took the time to train me and Sharon on the ins and outs of mass cooking. I can not thank him enough for pointing me in that direction, and for all of the encouragement he gave me. For all of the high-pressure moments that kitchen caused me, it is a memory I cherish, and I thank Jack for it.
I know that losing Flo was a traumatic experience. I am pleased they are together again. -
Reply by camperpat on Wed Jan 4, 2023 at 3:40 pmSad to hear of his passing, but nothing but good memories of working with him and Flo and the kitchen. Jack always found a way to make it work! Even when we thought we had no food left he made something for someone who came late etc.
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Reply by twalsh on Sun Jan 8, 2023 at 6:59 pmI too am sad with Jack's passing. I have very fond memories. For a number of years I would walk a white or yellow course with him and have a long chat. He was a good man.
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Reply by Guy-O on Wed Jan 11, 2023 at 5:36 amAlso posted on Attackpoint...My memories of Jack pretty much began at my first DVOA event -- a Dual with HVO at French Creek (only 1 O-map back then, probably now West), followed by a Night-O, at which the O-flags had glow-sticks inside them. Probably about 1983-84The man was a fixture at northeastern A-events (nka NREs), during the 80s & 90s always ready to chat-up anything -- especially orienteering. He, Flo, and Karen often had other DVOA juniors along for the ride.However my most distinct memory had nothing to do with orienteering. That was in 1999, when my Mom and I visited Longwood Gardens, and Jack & Flo treated us to dinner there, and then the spectacular water show -- a special treat since that was a drought year, and all the fountains were otherwise dry.Caroline & Kent Ringo, Flo & Jack: DVOA Eternal
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Reply by Orienteer7 on Wed Jan 11, 2023 at 6:31 pmAn orienteering story.... when I only once traveled with Jack. The U.S. Orienteering Championships were being held in Telemark, WI. A group of 5 from DVOA (Jack Williams, Stan Knight, Dave Knight, Howard Frysinger and myself decided we would meet after our flights and rent a car together to save on the expenses. There was a pre-event on the upper peninsula of MI being held by Russ Bruce on a "postage stamp" size map with aboslutely no water features...just up and down ridges running north to south and a few trails. After the event we headed west towards Telemark. Stan was driving and decided to make great time by traveling about 90mph on somewhat might call an interstate but it was not one. Just before Christmas Michigan he was pulled over by the state police and we got I "nice" ticket. We stopped just down the road and had breakfast and then Jack said he would take over driving doing the same speed. About a couple of miles from our breakfast stop I saw a state police car traveling on the east bound side of the highway with about a 100 foot grass median between westbound lane and the eastbound lane. I told Jack to slow down but he said the state trooper would ignore us....until I saw the trooper's car bouncing across the grass and coming after us. We got another "nice" ticket. Did I mention they took credit cards? We finally made Telemark and Jack had an "A" frame partially rented so we stayed there. Jack had suffered a heart attack a year or two ealrier and was on a healthy diet of "salads" so I found a ride to town to feed on beef. Luckily it was a two day event as for when we headed to the MSP airport to catch our flights Dave Knight was challenging his dad Stan to pass as many cars without going back to his lane on an incredibly straight two lane highway. I think we set the record of 5 cars at one time...but as we passed the 5th car (I was in the back right) I noticed a patch on the arm of the driver we were passing. Just as I was letting Stan know I think we just passed an unmarked state police car I saw the driver open his car window and place the light on his roof. Another "nice" ticket. It was the last time I traveled with Jack or Stan.
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Reply by EricW on Wed Jan 18, 2023 at 6:56 pmKaren posted on Attackpoint this afternoon:I will hold a ceremony for Jack on April 8th at the Myrick Center (http://www.brandywineredclay.org/) starting at 1 PM for any who would like to attend. Please let me know if you plan to join - email karen.williams@chalmers.se
