Jack Feil

On Friday morning September 24, 2021, lifelong Wenatchee Valley resident and Orchardist Jack O. Feil, 93, passed quietly from this life to rejoin his beloved wife Della. Born on May 22, 1928 to Harold and Clara Feil, née Stritzel. Jack grew up on Baker Flat, learning the art and science of orcharding from his father. Farming remained a huge part of Jack's identity throughout his life. He actively managed Feil Orchard Inc for over 50 years, and still kept up to date researching new and upcoming fruit and choosing new apple, cherry, peach, apricot, plum and pluot varieties to bring into the orchards to keep them fresh. He graduated from Wenatchee High School, and was the first in his family to go to college, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology at the University of Washington. He remained a lifelong loyal Husky, as a fan and supporter of the university. After college he did a tour in the Army, stateside just after the Korean War ended. He would joke later in life that he always wanted to be a farmer, so he studied pharmacology, thinking it has something to do with farming. However, you always knew that a Husky item for Jack, including an actual husky-mix, would be an appreciated gift for Christmas. Jack was famously known for his unflappable personality, and this started early in life. His aunt told of climbing upon a table and yelling being frightened by an invader on the floor. A young Jack rushed up with great concern for his aunt. But once the situation was explained. He stated, "But, it's just a mouse," not really understanding the hysteria. He then quietly dispatched the mouse for his aunt. His habit of not seeing the excitement would frustrate his mother Clara, when he would be consistently late for her birthday parties, or other family events because he would be busy out fishing with his friends. Just because he was not excitable does not mean that he was not dedicated, and competitive. He loved sports of all kinds, and could always be found watching whatever sport was in season. As far as participation, bowling was his sport of choice. He was very good, and traveled to bowling tournaments across the West. Bowling was very important to Jack, and not just for the comradery and sport. Bowling was the vehicle for meeting the love of his life, Della Langston, née Rogers. They would continue to bowl together for many years. The love borne in a bowling alley lasted a lifetime. Jack and Della married in 1963, and early in 1964 welcomed Jack's only child Robin. Jack also took the role of devoted father to his new stepson Larry. Robin remembers his dad losing his composure only once: laughing while reading about those "horrible heffalumps" in a Winne the Pooh story. Jack and Della continued to bowl, gather with friends and family, and raise their children. Family was extremely important to Jack. He loved his parents Harold and Clara, his brother Robert, his sister Anise, his nieces and nephews, and most importantly his children. Larry gifted his mom and stepdad with two lovely grandchildren, Kimberly and Kortney, and Kortney added four great grandchildren, Kellie, Ryan, Karter and Harper, into the family. His niece remembers staying at her grandma's house and adventuring through all of the rooms. She particularly remembers the box of arrowheads that Jack had found along the Columbia Riverfront during his youth, which he kept in a shoebox in his room. He always had an appreciation of history, which continued throughout his life. He regaled his family with stories of pulling water from the river to irrigate the farm in barrels in a stone boat. He was also extremely proud of his father Harold's legacy of boat racing, and the family racing boat the HISSO. Jack had an open heart and viewed his orchard workers, and later orchard manager and fruit stand manager, brothers Joe (Lupe) and Octavio Torres as two more sons. They shared his love for farming, and welcomed him into their families in return. Jack was also known for his outspoken political views, and supported many conservative causes over the years. He regularly wrote vivid and, at times, confrontational letters to the Wenatchee World's "safety valve," to express his views. He was most proud of his work with the Save the Riverfront Committee. When the state decided that it wanted to build a new and wider State Route 2, along the Columbia River, Jack was one of the first to speak out against it. He hired lawyers, wrote letters, and went to meetings to speak against building a state highway along the riverfront. He tirelessly fought the state for years, using his own dollars and exercising his political cache. The amazing part is that it worked. Jack working with the Save the Riverfront Committee fought the state, and won. Jack is survived by his son Robin and his wife Andrea; his stepson Larry Langston and his wife Lynelle; his grandchildren, Kimberly and Kortney Langston and Kortney's wife Jenae and their children Kellie, Ryan, Karter, and Harper; along with his niece, Becky; three nephews Dan, Dick and Tom; and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Jack's passing has created a huge hole in the lives of his family and friends. He lived a quiet life, and passed peacefully at home. We find solace in that he is free of pain, and with his beloved Delaphine. Services will be held 1:00 pm on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Chapel of the Valley located at 378 Eastmont Avenue in East Wenatchee. Interment and a brief graveside ceremony will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. Viewing will be before the service on October 6, between 10:00 am and 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in the name of Jack O. Feil to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.

Jack Feil

May 22, 1928 - September 24, 2021