JOHN JOSEPH (JACK) BARCHEK
June 10, 1930 ˜ April 8, 2022

John Joseph (Jack) Barchek passed away April 8, 2022, one month after celebrating his 65th wedding anniversary with his wife, Carolyn. The couple married in 1957 and lived on the same street in West Minnehaha, VA, since 1962. Together they raised two children from his previous marriage, John Jr. and Jacqueline Ann, along with their daughter, Susan Marie.

Jack was born in Norwalk, CT, on June 10, 1930. Being an entrepreneur came naturally to him. He was running a successful trapping business before he was in high school; and Jack used the proceeds to buy his first car when he was 15. In 1947 he moved with his family to Portland, OR. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948.

He learned to fish with his father in Connecticut and fishing became a lifelong passion. Boating and fishing were a ubiquitous part of Jack's life. In 1957 Jack and a friend decided to build a fiberglass fishing boat. They sold the first two boats they built before keeping one for themselves, and they decided they could start a business. Supplying fiberglass parts to heavy truck manufacturers eventually replaced boat manufacturing, and Jack and Carolyn owned and operated the business in Vancouver and Ridgefield for over 50 years.

An avid outdoorsman, Jack loved hunting upland game birds with his beloved dogs. He acquired his pilot's license and bought a small plane so he could travel to remote locations to hunt pheasant, chukar and quail. The bond between Jack and his dogs was exceptional, and Jack swore his dog would give him a dirty look if he missed a shot. He didn't mind and said it made him a better shot.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John (Chic) and Helen Barchek; and his son, John J. Barchek Jr. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughters, Jacqueline Ruzanski and Susan Volz (Joe); his brother, Jim; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family will host a Celebration of Life within the next couple of months.