Jack Allen Pemberton passed away peacefully on Dec. 18, 2008, with his family by his side. We will miss him and his infectious smile. Jack was born to Charlotte G. Owen and George Pemberton on Oct. 2, 1923, in Long Beach, Calif. He was one of five children.
Jack was not a man of many words, but was extremely focused and determined. He could be described as a true officer and a gentleman. While attending college at the University of Hawaii, he was attached to the coastal artillery. After Pearl Harbor, he transferred into the Army Air Corps, and pursued a career as a fighter pilot flying P38s in Europe, as well as other military aircraft. Family and friends enjoyed his amazing stories of his Pearl Harbor and European experiences. He remembered so many details vividly, since he was right there as it happened. Jack achieved the coveted distinguished military Flying Cross and received the rank of major for his service in the Army Air Corps. He then proudly served in the Air National Guard for many years after. He was awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel.
In his civilian life he worked for Beechcraft Corp. and eventually started his own aircraft sales company with his loving wife Evelyn, Pemberton Aircraft Sales in San Jose. At retirement they moved to Morgan Hill for a few years and then to Sonoma for the last 20 years.
Jack enjoyed taking long walks around the valley, but retirement wasn’t his thing. He then went to work for Bob Noble’s Chevrolet and then Bob Bohna’s auto sales, where he enjoyed talking with other vets about the good old days in the military. Jack and Evelyn especially enjoyed dining in the local restaurants. They got to know so many wonderful friends around town.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte and George; his brothers James V, Robert and Meryl; and sister, Bernice Rabens. Those who will miss his strength, guidance and love, along with his big smile, are his loving wife, Evelyn; children Cheryl and her husband Rich Gorst; Barry Nelson and his wife Josie; Deborah and her husband Dr. John Emery; Jackie and her husband Gary Imhoff; and loving and devoted son Jack Pemberton Jr. Without Jack, Dad wouldn’t have had such a great final few years. He also survived by his grandchildren Neal, Nathan, Nick and Natalie Nelson, along with Tami and Tim Mock, John Edward Emery, Forest and Allison Emery and Erika Bearse. Jack was blessed to enjoy the birth of three great-granddaughters, McKenzie and Madison Mock and Taylor Bearse. We as a family have so many beautiful memories of this honorable man and we have been truly blessed by his presence in our lives. One of his hospice nurses described him as “Mr. Fantastic,” and that he was.
A memorial Mass was held at St Leo’s Catholic Church in Sonoma on Monday, Dec. 29, followed by military honors at the Sonoma Veteran’s Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Jack’s memory to one of the following charitable organizations: Hospice by the Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, Calif. 95476 or The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, P.O. Box 218, El Verano, Calif. 95433.