— from the Family of Jack Titus —
Orcas Island resident Jack Titus passed away October 24 after surgery and a long hospitalization. He was eighty-one years old and previously had a remarkable ability to bounce back after serious health issues.
Originally from Portland Oregon, Jack attended the University of Oregon, and later ran a successful insurance business. He had three children with his first wife Sheila; John, James and Kathryn.
He was also a stepfather to David and Patrick Scofield, sons of his second wife Mildred. Sheila and Mildred are deceased, and Jack began a 10–year marriage to Jan Koltun after his arrival on Orcas Island in 2002.
An avid outdoors-man, Jack enjoyed taking his children camping, teaching them to fish and cross country ski.
People who know Jack teased him about his near-obsession with University of Oregon Ducks football, basketball and track and field events. Jack lived and breathed The Oregon Ducks, and his house was a virtual museum of Oregon Duck paraphernalia.
This quirky hobby led to at least one good prank that Jack loved; one January the Oregon Duck football team lost to the Texas Christian University “Horned Frogs.” In the early morning before church service, Jack flew the University of Oregon Duck flag at half mast at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, much to the surprise of the congregation.
Jack had several boats while living on Orcas Island, his favorite was a 25-ft. Albin cruiser. One summer he and an old buddy took the boat from Orcas to north of Ketchikan Alaska. The trip took seven weeks and was dangerous at times. He saw wonderful things that amazed him such as bears fishing, a giant octopus, and tribal fishing villages perched on rocky bluffs and floating buildings. It was the trip of a lifetime and an adventure he was very proud of.
In his later years, Jack loved to take his dog Binka to the dog park or sit at “The Brain Trust” table of old kibitzers, as the Island Market Deli staff called it.
He was also an avid bridge player with his companion Judy Turksel, who was often at Jack’s side during his recent illness.
Jack loved nothing more than visiting and talking with people in conversations that ranged from sports, to politics to the proper way to hang a roll of toilet paper.
He was much loved and will be missed by all.
The family asks that any remembrance be donated to the Orcas Island Dog Park, one of Jacks favorite places to visit on a sunny day.
Services will be held November 10th at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 1 p.m. in Eastsound.
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I didn’t know Jack, but from your warm and loving tribute here, I certainly wish I had. Thanks for these memories.
Jean and I knew Jack, and we will miss him.
We hope that he died quickly and comfortably.
A great tribute to a merry, devout and stalwart soul who befriended many. Goodbye Jack. We will miss you. And thank you, Judy, for being by his side during this final ordeal.
My condolences to Jack’s friends and family. He was a wonderful, warm, and witty man who will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
A keen wit, full of joy and laughter, and a patient bridge partner. We salute you Jack! This comes with our wishes for peace, and love to all who loved him. So sorry for your/our loss, but glad that Jack will no longer suffer from bodily infirmities!
What a wonderful tribute. I will miss his happy, smiling, good natured self. He was blessed to have a son and daughter in law who took such good care of him and allowed him to live with them, independent as possible, and well loved.
Jack is missed by many!