Jack was born in Dryden, Ontario to Jack and Christine Rowat. They moved to Vernon when Jack was 14, then to the Cariboo in 1951 where he worked in the family sawmill at Borland Valley.
Jack and Marg Grover married in 1956. They had five children: Jacquie, Gord, Robbie, Ryan, and Shannon, who were all born when they lived on Rowat Road.
Jack went into the trucking business in 1966, first with a gravel truck which took him to Prince Rupert, and later with the family for a short time, to the Queen Charlotte Islands. He later purchased a logging truck, and later his career changed to supplying truck parts as owner of J & C Equipment.
Jack and Marg later built and operated a bed and breakfast near Scout Island. Retiring in 2001, they moved to Lac la Hache, where they spent many happy times with family and friends. Later they moved hack to Williams Lake to the home built by Jack’s parents in the 1950s.
Jack was a busy man, always puttering in the garden, traveling, and building things. He loved working with rocks and camping, playing cards and sharing time with family and friends, often hosting and cooking big breakfasts. He liked to read, especially the atlas, encyclopedia, bible and the farmers almanac; he always wanted to know the facts, where people came from, and what their job was. He was a faithful friend and his family was everything to him.
Jack was a dependable, honourable, easy going, steady and independent man. His faith in God was real and he proved that actions speak louder than words.
Jack is survived by his wife Marg, children Gord (Nadine), Ryan (Teri), and Shannon (Brucks Wedel); grandchildren Mason, Reece, Sierra, Chloe, Ethan, Roberta (Lyndon Froese), Elizabeth, Ascher, and Wilson; great grandchild Talia; two sisters: Verna (Nate Parchomchuck) and Linda Duthie; and mother-in-law Ruth Eddy. He was predeceased by daughters Jacquie and Robbie, son-in-law Dale Hopkins, brothers Gordon, Richard and Don.
Jack has left a big hole in our hearts.
The family would like to thank the many people who touched our hearts this past while: the nurses and doctors, RRTs and everyone who cared for him in the hospital. He didn’t think he could have gotten better care anywhere. He so appreciated all of you.
Also a big thank you to family and friends who travelled, brought flowers and food, and comfort to all of us. Thank you as well to Father Derrick and Luc LaPrairie.