San Bernardino County Obituaries Jack Norman Evertz Submitted by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. "Big Bear Grizzly"; Wednesday, August 5, 2009 March 8, 1927 - July 27, 2009 A man of quick wit, the gift of gab and fierce loyalty, Jack Norman Evertz passed away Monday, July 27, 2009, of natural causes in Missoula, Mont. His son and grandchildren comforted Jack and lobbed wise cracks into the air for him up until the very end -- and after -- in a way only he would have appreciated. He joins the love of his life, Leola Grace (File), who preceded him in death in June 2005. We're pretty sure she greeted Jack with "What the hell took you so long?" The son of Albert and Leona Evertz was born in Gary, Ind., March 8, 1927 but spoke most fondly of his wily youth in Great Bend, Ks., where he starred in football as a halfback, in basketball as a point guard and in chasing down Leola until she finally gave in and married him in 1946. Their loving son, S. Lee Evertz, now of Missoula, Mont., was born the following year. The Evertz's then moved West, settling in Southern California in 1953. The cabin in Big Bear, Calif., built with his own two hands (and with the help of a few others) was the place Jack and Leola cherished most. "The Cabin" became the rallying point for family and friends to imbibe, laugh and tell tall tales. Other sources of pride included his U.S. Coast Guard stints during WW II and Korea, an exhibition boxing match with Lou Nova while in the military ("hard puncher") and serving as the point guard for an American Legion basketball team that got taken to the woodshed by the Harlem Globetrotters. He leaves us with many amazing memories, wild stories and more off-color jokes than one f amily can or should hold. That's why he shared them with anyone who would listen. He is survived by his son, S. Lee Evertz of Missoula, Mont.; his grandchildren, Kate Olney, also of Missoula, Mont.; Stacey White Evertz of Grants Pass, Ore., and Mark Evertz of West Linn, Ore.; great-grandchildren Quinn & Grace Olney of Missoula and Owen Evertz of West Linn; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family who were always key figures in his prideful recollections of a life well lived. A celebration of Jack & Leola's life will be held at a future date in Big Bear to be announced. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in the name of Jack Norman Evertz to: Hospice of Missoula 800 Kensington, Suite 204 Missoula, MT 59801