Tribute; John (Jack) Birchard

Jack Birchard died May 3, 2014, at Cottage in the Meadows in Yakima, surrounded by family and friends. His life of 91 years provided much joy and happiness.

He was born April 23, 1923, to Frank and Rose Birchard in Shawnee, Wyo. and spent his childhood in Wyoming before moving to Eugene, Ore., where he met Shirley Glasgow. They married in August of 1946.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945 aboard the USS Tripoli. Following the war, he attended Pacific Bible College in Medford, Ore., earning a B.A. in theology in 1950. He never stopped pursuing his education, receiving a master’s in religion from Whitworth College in Spokane in 1963 and obtaining a doctorate of divinity in St. Louis, Mo. in 1969.

He was ordained in 1953 and had his first calling as pastor at the Church of God in Caldwell, Idaho. He later moved to Everett, Wash., where he ministered until 1957, then moved to Odessa, where he was minister of the English Congregational Church for a period of 15 years. He retired from the ministry in 1970 and became a professor of sociology at Spokane Community College, remaining there until his final retirement in 1990.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Shirley; his parents, Frank and Rose Birchard; his brothers Mervel and Norbert Birchard and his sister, Dorothy Carlile.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Karen and David Catey of Moxee, Wash., his loving companion and friend Wilma Schmidt of Odessa, grandchildren Tom (Karin) Catey and Suzie Richardson, and great grandchildren Catey Sue Richardson, Corbin Richardson, Kyle Catey and KC Catey.

He was known to family and friends as a kind person and always as a “true gentleman.” He will be missed. Love for him will live on always in the hearts of those left behind.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Heritage Church in Odessa Saturday, May 31, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jon Hayashi officiating.