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J.W. London Obituary
12/25/1925 - 5/20/2009
J. W. "Jack" London died peacefully on Wednesday morning, May 20, 2009, due to complications following his battle with cancer. Jack was an active and well-loved member of the Auburn community. He was born in Denver, Colorado on December 25, 1925 to John T London (a captain in the Denver Fire Department) and Frances E London (owner of Mrs. London's Pies). He enrolled in U C Berkeley in 1943 as a member of the U S Navy V12 program. While at Berkeley, he met and married Sylvia M. Manbey - who he loved and cherished until she died from Alzheimer's in January 2005. Jack served aboard the USS Henry J. Tucker during the Korean War. He worked for Shell Oil, Shell Chemical and Shell Development as both an engineer and a purchasing executive. He earned an MBA from the University of San Francisco. Jack was an active outdoorsman. He loved backpacking and fishing in the Sierras - although none of his stories about the fish he caught are to be believed. (He never let the truth get in the way of a good story.) Jack was a master woodworker. Family and friends lucky enough to have the furniture he created treat them as heirlooms. He devoted much of his time to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, and teaching woodworking part-time at local high schools. Jack and Sylvia were well known for their love of animals. Their Auburn home was an unofficial refuge for stray dogs, cats, gophers, deer, squirrels, turkeys and humming birds. Many of their friends declared that in their next life they hoped to come back as one of the Londons' dogs.
Jack is survived by his older brother Jack (who insisted on calling him Wayne), his daughter Lynn, his son David, his grandchildren Lacey, Nik, Lexi and Jesse (who knew their grandfather as Grumpy), and his great-granddaughter Riley (who called him Bumpy). Jack will be remembered by all who knew him for his generosity, humor, boundless energy and indomitable optimism.
A funeral service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Lewis and Orange Streets, Auburn at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2009. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet (www.auburnfoodcloset.com).
Arrangements entrusted to Chapel of teh Hills.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for J.W. London
Steve & Suzanne Wardwell
May 18, 2019
We still live in the same neighborhood as Jack and Sylvia with many new neighbors since his passing. We think about them often and miss the family memories we would share along with their other many stories of their fascinating lives with Shell Oil Co. in Saudi Arabia! We have two Adirondack type chairs that Jack made for us and they are treasured and help to remember him. His dogs were always pound puppies and they took tremendous care of them along with any other beasts in the area.
They are gone but not forgotten in our minds.
Steve and Suzanne Wardwell
Steven and Suzanne Wardwell
May 25, 2009
Jack and Sylvia London were our neighbors since the early 1980's in South Auburn on Arroyo Dr. before the Falcon Pt. subdivision was built and the old Waddle slaughterhouse site still had cattle, deer, coyotes and other critters wandering all over. There was never a dull moment around the London house. Dinners were an event as the London's were the ultimate hosts with food, wine and stories. Ah, the stories. Jack and Sylvia lived in Saudi Arabia when he worked for Shell Oil Co. and things were very much different than our lives in the U.S.. Sylvia passed several years ago and was savaged by Ahlzeimers. Jack survived his loss and indulged in his woodworking, travel, reading, hiking and church activities. All along, there were the animals... cats,dogs and the hummingbirds. Jack walked the dogs daily. Our oldest daughter's, Rebecca, first job was watching and walking the London's dogs when they were out of town, a very important task. Our youngest daughter, Emily, had her first steps in the London house, a treasured memory for us and the London's.
Jack's story can not be told in a few sentences, he was very much an icon with many capabilities of which we were personally able to observe and will never forget. Love to all of his kin.
Maureen and Paul Machart
May 23, 2009
With sincere Condolences to the London Family. Our prayers will be with you during this time. He will be missed at the Tucker reunions but not forgotten.
Dayton and Lavelle Powell
May 23, 2009
We were greatly saddened by Jack's death. He was a great friend to the guys/wives of the USS Tucker family. He will be missed so much.
Our prayers will be with you during this time, especially Monday. We wish we could be there with you.
Please take comfort in the great memories you have of him and the fact of knowing just how much he treasured each family member.
David Harrington
May 22, 2009
A good shipmate who will be missed by all of us.
Bob VanDyken
May 22, 2009
Jack was always a great person to be around at the Tucker reunions and we will all miss his story's and felloship.
Chuck&Evanna Ruth
May 22, 2009
With condolences to the London family;We always had time to talk at the reunions, Jack sent me a book of his times on the Tucker,that both me and my wife enjoy. A great gentleman, he will be missed at our reunions
all the staff at Companion Veterinary Clinic
May 22, 2009
With sincere condolences to the London family; our thoughts and prayers are with you. We always loved to see Jack and his faithful companions Flicka and Elkie. He will certainly be missed.
May 22, 2009
For a life Well Done -- "Bravo Zulu."
Mike McDermott, shipmate, USS HENRY W. TUCKER
Carlos Aldunate
May 22, 2009
Fair winds and following seas to a good and respected shipmate.
Pat and Bill Siler
May 22, 2009
To the London family: It was with great sadness that we learned of Jack's passing. He was a fixture at USS Henry W. Tucker reunions, even bringing some of his woodworking pieces to be raffled. We will surely miss him.
Marge Hier
May 22, 2009
Jack brightened my life in so many ways. He seemed to always have a smile and a hug to share and his wonderful sense of humor was infectious. I will miss him, but I know that he and Sylvia are walking hand in hand.
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