Jack William Blizzard

Jack W. Blizzard, 91, died December 26, 2010 at his Long Beach residence. The son of Charley and Clyda (James) Blizzard, he was born March 31, 1919 in Olive Hill, Kentucky. Jack grew up in Olive Hill and was a graduate of Olive Hill High School. Following high school Jack came west, settling in Castle Rock, Washington. There he worked for Weyerhaeuser Timber as a gandy dancer and logger. Moving to Seattle he was employed at Todd Drydock until the outbreak of the Second World War. Jack served with the United States Navy from 1942 until 1949. Following his military service, Jack settled in Spokane. There he tended bar at the Yardley Tavern and then owned and operated the Sage Tavern on Sprague Street for a number of years until retirement in the early 1980s. In 1995 he moved to Long Beach where he enjoyed the tranquility of life at the coast. Jack was a member of the Methodist church and was a former member of Spokane Eagles lodge. Over the years he enjoyed fishing, golfing and spending time with friends. He dearly loved his daughters and his grandchildren. Survivors include daughters Jackie Mitchell, Nixie Doan/Skelton, Betsy Wright and Abbie Preslan; two step-children; nine grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Funeral service with full military honors will be held at Tahoma national Cemetery in Maple Valley, Washington on January 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.