Jack Quaintance Jr.


Date of birth January 9, 1950

Date of death December 3, 2017

Jack's adventures began at an early age. In his early teens he baited many a line on his father's commercial fishing boat in Depoe Bay, Ore. This experience at sea with his father later led to his desire to own his own sailboat.

He navigated an exciting voyage in his mid twenties, sailing from San Diego, around the tip of Baja, Mexico and into the Sea of Cortez. He and his two crew-mates were often delighted to be escorted by large numbers of dolphins.

Hot air ballooning was his next adventure. You could often see his purple and yellow balloon floating in the sky above the Willamette Valley. But it was his love for flying that dominated his life. It began with his father taking him to Mulino Airport. Jack was still attending Molalla High School when he was hired to pump gas, wash airplanes and mow the runway. It wasn't long before he had his private pilot's license and later an instructor's license.

He was mentored in the field of aviation by Carl Dietz (whom he held in high esteem). Jack attempted to pass on what he learned from him, jump starting the careers of over 100 professional pilots and mechanics.

In 1977 Jack became the youngest FAA Designated Pilot Examiner in the Pacific Northwest. In his early career, during the 1970's, many people flew with Jack to Punta Pescadero at the tip of Baja, Mexico. There they experienced great fishing and pristine scenic beauty.

Later, Jack set his sights on flying commercial jets. He had a distinguished career, first flying for Braniff, and later Continental Airlines, eventually becoming a Line Check Captain.

He flew many places in the world including Tegucigalpa, Honduras which is known to have the airport with the world's trickiest landing. Some say a night landing on a moving aircraft carrier would be considered easier!

Jack was preceded in death by his father Jack Quaintance, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet; mother, Helen Quaintance; and brother, Larry Quaintance (Barbara).

Jack is inviting you to accompany him on one last flight in a celebration of life. Please come and raise a glass and share a JQ story. Food and drinks will be plentiful the way Jack always did it. Please join us from 5-8 p.m., Saturday Jan. 13, 2018, at The Columbia Aviation Association Club House, Aurora State Airport 14323 Stenbock Way N.E. Aurora, OR 97002.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: The AFTD www.theaftd.org/ The Oregon Humane Society www.oregonhumane.org/

Videos:

Jack Quaintance's Journey:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtBVav7hbhw&feature=youtu.be

Jack's Big Balloon:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTCasUK5Oc