Obituary for Jack Arthur Fuller
Mr. Jack A. Fuller passed away on December 9, 2020 at the age of 95. Jack was born July 8, 1925 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Ray and Letha (Wilkinson) Fuller. He attended Long Fellow Grade School and was provided special parental permission at age 17 to graduate early from Oshkosh High School with the intent of serving his country. Jack enlisted in the Navy in February of 1943. His naval career spanned two wars – WWII and the Korean War. Jack served with the South Pacific Amphibious Forces LST 277 during WWII. His service during the Korean Conflict found him stationed at Little Creek, Virginia. During this time his unit was assigned an excursion to Greenland where they were charged with delivering an early warning system radar to protect the U.S. from Russian bombers during the Cold War. His passionate patriotic service was a point of great pride for Jack and his family for the remainder of his life.
Jack returned home to Oshkosh between the wars and Fuller family history was made the night he met Mary Merk on a blind date set up by his good friend, Bing Doemel. Family lore states that he fell in love with Mary’s beautiful blond hair! They married on May 5, 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Oshkosh.
Jack began his career at Kimberly Clark Corporation and later moved on to a successful and long-tenured career at Mercury Marine Corporation. Jack quickly worked his way up the ranks at Mercury eventually serving as foreman and general foreman in the prop-finishing department where he met many of his life-long friends. Jack retired from Mercury Marine in 1988. During his long and fulfilling retirement, Jack had a passion for fishing both on open waters and ice. He was still taking solo fishing expeditions at the age of 92, while expertly tying his own flies! Nothing pleased him more than to provide a fresh-fish meal for his family, caught in one of his “secret” fishing spots – unshared to this day! Jack also cherished turkey and deer hunting with his boys and son-in-law. Jack was an active member of the Last Man’s Club, Cook Fuller American Legion Post 70, and the Otter Street Fishing Club. Jack had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Honor Glory Flight to Washington DC and to fly with AADF in a Boeing Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the nineteen forties. His children and grandchildren fondly knew him as “Grandpa Fix-It” as Jack could fix just about anything: bikes, lawn mowers, Christmas lights, toys. . . He had the patience of a saint and applied his brilliant mind to creative fix-it solutions! Jack and Mary were life-long members of St. John’s Catholic Church and St. Jude’s Sacred Heart Church. Jack and Mary spent the final months of their lives as residents of Evergreen Manor. Here, true to his nature, Jack worked diligently to represent his fellow residences’ needs with the goal of always making the world - his world - a better place. He also took up playing bingo with a vengeance and received the nickname, Bingo Master! Perhaps one of the most satisfying aspects of Jack’s time at Evergreen was beginning to paint for the first time in his 95-year life. Jack’s productions were quite beautiful, and he enjoyed much satisfaction through the act of creating, just as he had done in so many other areas throughout his life. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful care and patience provided by the Evergreen Manor staff and Ascension Hospice. A special thank you to our Dad’s angels of mercy: Ashley, Kim, Kelly, Stacey, Sam, Joann, Cassie, Aaron, Neena, and Perla. You were a true blessing to Mom and Dad and our entire family.
Jack and Mary Fuller were blessed with five wonderful children during their 68-year marriage. His wife, Mary, preceded him in death in February 2020. Jack is survived by sons: Steven (Stephanie) Fuller, James (Diane) Fuller, Thomas (Laurie) Fuller and daughters: Cynthia Berg and Ellen (Jeffrey) Davis. Grandchildren: John, Brad (Beckie) Fuller, Todd, Matthew, Michael, Eli, Maddie, and Caleb Fuller, Alana and Samuel Berg, Jake (Haley), Luke (Leann), and Zachary Erickson, and four great-grandchildren: Jorden and Austin Fuller and Reid and Jack Erickson. Jack is also survived by sisters-in-law Jean and Bernice Fuller. Jack was preceded in death by parents Ray and Letha Fuller and siblings: Robert, Norm, and Jerry Fuller, Shirley Hittman, and Audrey Roberts.
A private Mass will take place for the immediate family to honor Jack’s memory. Due to COVID and per Jack’s request, a Celebration of his and Mary’s lives together will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Jack has requested that any donations be given to the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. This Foundation is a nonprofit organization built on the philosophy of “Giving Back To Those Who Have Given”. The Foundation’s focus is on recognizing seniors and veterans living in long-term care communities and helping them fulfill their dream of flying. To make a donation via check please mail to: Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, 1894 E. William St. #4-451, Carson City, NV 89701.
No tears, no sorrow. I am free and I am at peace. Do not mourn my death but celebrate a life well lived. Till we meet again, have an Old Fashioned for the good times we’ve shared! Jack Fuller
Jack returned home to Oshkosh between the wars and Fuller family history was made the night he met Mary Merk on a blind date set up by his good friend, Bing Doemel. Family lore states that he fell in love with Mary’s beautiful blond hair! They married on May 5, 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Oshkosh.
Jack began his career at Kimberly Clark Corporation and later moved on to a successful and long-tenured career at Mercury Marine Corporation. Jack quickly worked his way up the ranks at Mercury eventually serving as foreman and general foreman in the prop-finishing department where he met many of his life-long friends. Jack retired from Mercury Marine in 1988. During his long and fulfilling retirement, Jack had a passion for fishing both on open waters and ice. He was still taking solo fishing expeditions at the age of 92, while expertly tying his own flies! Nothing pleased him more than to provide a fresh-fish meal for his family, caught in one of his “secret” fishing spots – unshared to this day! Jack also cherished turkey and deer hunting with his boys and son-in-law. Jack was an active member of the Last Man’s Club, Cook Fuller American Legion Post 70, and the Otter Street Fishing Club. Jack had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Honor Glory Flight to Washington DC and to fly with AADF in a Boeing Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the nineteen forties. His children and grandchildren fondly knew him as “Grandpa Fix-It” as Jack could fix just about anything: bikes, lawn mowers, Christmas lights, toys. . . He had the patience of a saint and applied his brilliant mind to creative fix-it solutions! Jack and Mary were life-long members of St. John’s Catholic Church and St. Jude’s Sacred Heart Church. Jack and Mary spent the final months of their lives as residents of Evergreen Manor. Here, true to his nature, Jack worked diligently to represent his fellow residences’ needs with the goal of always making the world - his world - a better place. He also took up playing bingo with a vengeance and received the nickname, Bingo Master! Perhaps one of the most satisfying aspects of Jack’s time at Evergreen was beginning to paint for the first time in his 95-year life. Jack’s productions were quite beautiful, and he enjoyed much satisfaction through the act of creating, just as he had done in so many other areas throughout his life. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful care and patience provided by the Evergreen Manor staff and Ascension Hospice. A special thank you to our Dad’s angels of mercy: Ashley, Kim, Kelly, Stacey, Sam, Joann, Cassie, Aaron, Neena, and Perla. You were a true blessing to Mom and Dad and our entire family.
Jack and Mary Fuller were blessed with five wonderful children during their 68-year marriage. His wife, Mary, preceded him in death in February 2020. Jack is survived by sons: Steven (Stephanie) Fuller, James (Diane) Fuller, Thomas (Laurie) Fuller and daughters: Cynthia Berg and Ellen (Jeffrey) Davis. Grandchildren: John, Brad (Beckie) Fuller, Todd, Matthew, Michael, Eli, Maddie, and Caleb Fuller, Alana and Samuel Berg, Jake (Haley), Luke (Leann), and Zachary Erickson, and four great-grandchildren: Jorden and Austin Fuller and Reid and Jack Erickson. Jack is also survived by sisters-in-law Jean and Bernice Fuller. Jack was preceded in death by parents Ray and Letha Fuller and siblings: Robert, Norm, and Jerry Fuller, Shirley Hittman, and Audrey Roberts.
A private Mass will take place for the immediate family to honor Jack’s memory. Due to COVID and per Jack’s request, a Celebration of his and Mary’s lives together will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Jack has requested that any donations be given to the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. This Foundation is a nonprofit organization built on the philosophy of “Giving Back To Those Who Have Given”. The Foundation’s focus is on recognizing seniors and veterans living in long-term care communities and helping them fulfill their dream of flying. To make a donation via check please mail to: Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, 1894 E. William St. #4-451, Carson City, NV 89701.
No tears, no sorrow. I am free and I am at peace. Do not mourn my death but celebrate a life well lived. Till we meet again, have an Old Fashioned for the good times we’ve shared! Jack Fuller