Jack Stuart
LIEBE
1929 – 2013
Jack Stuart Liebe passed away on the 6th of February, 2013 at 9:10 PM. in Clearwater, BC. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his loving wife Jo Ann Liebe, son Carl Liebe (Ann), daughter Gretchen Liebe-Moore (John), and son Bill Liebe (Greta), 11 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. Jack was predeceased by his parents, William and Grace Liebe and by his sister Pat Liebe Oler.
Jack Stuart Liebe was born May 10th 1929 in Everett, Washington USA. He made his first trip on a steamship with his parents when he was 4 weeks old, traveling from Seattle, WA to Cordova, AK. He attended school in Cordova until 1945. At that time his family moved to Mt. Vernon, WA. He graduated from high school there. Two weeks later, he went to sea with a tug, Army Transport Service (now Military Sea Transport Service). He sailed out of Seattle and Cathalamet, WA. There he transferred to the US Merchant Marines and made trips to Japan, Korea, China, Philippines, Guam, Okinawa, New Zealand, Ceylon, Hawaii, all ports on the West coast of Alaska, Panama, New Orleans, Germany, Halifax, and Italy. He discharged from the Merchant Marines at age 20. He worked at a number of jobs including a section gang on the Alaska Rail Road at -65 degrees F. That wasn't cold enough, so he joined Joseph Moses Bigjim trapping with a dog team in Alaska for a winter. He married Marion Margret Heathman in Olympia, WA. When the Korean War broke out, he tried to enlist in the Canadian Army, but he was a US citizen, so he enlisted in the US Navy. He was assigned to USS Roanoke (light cruiser) for 4 years. During that time he sailed to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Europe. He was honourably discharged from the navy at the age of 25.
Jack obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Tech at Bozeman, Montana. Then Jack and family moved to Denver, CO. He worked for Denver Wood Products and then in Quality Control for Gates Rubber Company.
Jack was a Charter Member of the Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club, taking his dog team experience to the next level, making racing sleds, racing dog teams, and winning many trophies. That is how he met Jo, the owner of a pretty Siberian husky.
In September of 1967 he married Jo Ann Boyle. They moved to Clearwater, BC in 1969 and began a series of adventures without end. Consistent with their concern over the direction of the economy, Jack and Jo (although raised as city folk) decided to become self-sufficient and adopted a simple lifestyle. They had no running water for three years, and raised 80% of their food on their land. Jack worked for Clearwater Timber Products as a Saw Filer and Fitter at Camp 2. He retired from Canfor in Vavenby, BC, in the mid-1990’s. Upon retirement, Jack and Jo enjoyed many trips. Highlights were trips to Alaska and Peru.
Jack was a charter member of the BC Sled Dog Association, the President of the Clearwater Library Society, a member of the Kamloops Pipe Band Society and a trustee for the South Central IWA Union. He took up the bag pipes in his 50’s and truly enjoyed playing with his son Bill. Jack was an honest man. He was bright, kind, curious and philosophical. He was a deep thinker, a good father and a wonderful companion. He will be greatly missed by many people.
A Memorial Service was held for Jack Liebe on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 in Blackpool, BC, with interment following at the Riverview Cemetery in Clearwater, BC. The service may be seen online at www.NorthThompsonFuneral.com and condolences may be placed there as well. Arrangements entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Services, Clearwater, BC, 250-674-3030.