Boise, Idaho – Jack W. Elmore, age 80, passed away on August 2nd, 2024 surrounded by family.
Jack was born in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to John Chapel & Frances Irene Elmore on December 2nd, 1943. His father owned a local print shop, and his Uncle Justin had a leather shop where Jack spent most of his time, helping his uncle and learning how to work with leather.
He began to learn the trombone in the 3rd grade. Jack had a love for animals, which led him to work with horses in 4H. He owned two, and competed in pole bending at local fairs.
Jack went on to study trombone at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music under the direction of Mr. Irving Miller. He then attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma where he majored in Science, immediately followed by transferring to Wichita State to major in Music Education. He graduated in January of 1967 with his Bachelors in Music Education.
In May of 1968, Jack moved to Portland, OR to begin his career with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra playing 2nd trombone and taught elementary band and orchestra in the Portland Public Schools. In 1970, he met and married Myrna Nutsch, both sharing a passion for music and education. Soon after, he earned his Masters in Music Education from Portland State University.
They raised two children, Jack E. and Melinda, passing on the lifelong gift of music and tennis, and later in his Claremont days – golf. This included forming a family band, playing “fiddlin’ tunes” at retirement homes around town. Jack taught both of his kids how to drive a riding lawn mower, which they thought was just as good as driving a car – as they tooled around the neighborhood. He always wanted his kids to have every opportunity and took pride in their successes giving many “WAPO Awards” (We Are Proud Of). He kept in close touch with his parents in Missouri, with (long, hot) family road trips to Excelsior Springs.
In 1998 Jack moved to Claremont, where he lived for more than 20 years next door and just down the street from the very best community of friends you could hope for. He enjoyed many Father’s Day golf tournaments, picnics, and parties in the community.
Jack and his wife Marilyn reconnected from their early days in 1966 where they both attended the Aspen Summer School of Music. They were married on June 12th, 2010, and lived in the Claremont subdivision until December 2021, when they moved to Boise, Idaho.
Jack had a love of life, family, and friends. A movie line he quoted quite often was “I’m just getting started.” The Oregon coast was a second home to him, as he spent quite some time there. We are so thankful we were able to celebrate his 80th in Seaside, Oregon, in Dec. 2023. Jack was able to go out to dinner and watch the grandkids (and adult kids) play mini-golf and ride the tilt-a-whirl.
Jack is survived by his wife Marilyn (Kindler) Elmore, sister Judy (Bolender), daughter Melinda (Elmore) Carlson, son Jack E. Elmore, stepdaughters Donna (Goerrich) Johnston, Dana Goerrich, 7 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. At: www.donate.saintalphonsus.org in Memory of Jack W. Elmore to either Palliative Care, Neurosurgical ICU, or Respiratory Care.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Claremont Country Club Clubhouse on Thursday August 29th, 2024 at 1:00 in the afternoon.