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Jack Knudsen- June 18, 1933 - May 17, 2014
Jack Knudsen was born on June 18th, 1933 in Portland, Oregon to Lester and Albena Knudsen. He was one of five children including his brothers Lloyd and Theodore "Teddy" and Sisters Evelyn and Lorraine.
After a successful High School experience as a student athlete at Tigard High School Jack was offered a scholarship to play football for Portland College; now Portland State University. While there from 1952 to 1956 he lettered in 5 sports and was named an All American for Football. He was named Athlete of the Year at one point for lettering in 5 sports in one year including Football, Baseball, Wrestling, Golf, and Track where he excelled in all. He was also a gifted writer and editor for the school paper.
Jack graduated from Portland College with his Bachelor of Science and went on to Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) where he played 2 more years of football and received his Masters Degree in Education.
He married Caryl Charnquist in Portland, Oregon and the couple moved to Los Angeles, California where Jack earned the Head Fooball Coaches position at Valencia High School. He also was a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After having their first two children, Dawn and Dirk, the couple returned to Oregon and settled in the Progress area of Beaverton, Oregon. The birth of Todd and then Terri brought the family to 6 and Jack was hired at Portland's Cleveland High School as a Teacher and Coach. He went on to become the Head Football Coach for Cleveland and would later move to Franklin High School in the same capacities.
After a time and about 1973 the family moved west to a 5 Acre farm in Orenco , Oregon outside Hillsboro and Jack and Caryl took to the task of raising their kids along with crops and a wide variety of animals. This was a wonderful place and a era where many good times were had.
Jack and his brother Lloyd about this time invested in a Fishing resort in Montana at Lake Mary Ronan. The family spent Summers at the resort where they managed 40 cabins, a store and restaurant, and boat docks. A tragic fire ended the Bear Track resort but Jack would maintain a home on the lake well into the later part of his life. A lifelong accomplished fisherman he earned the name "Rainbow Jack" and was the topic of a fishing poem of the same name.
Jack and Caryl divorced in the 1980's. After his teaching career ended an illustrious real estate brokerage career took of for Jack which he pursued for the better part of 2 decades.
The last phase of his life was spent in Gold Canyon, Arizona where Jack played golf, which he was known for his entire life, and enjoyed the weather. Always a very loving and gregarious person Jack met up with Luella Dupree who had been his High School sweetheart. They reunited and spent many years together travelling and visiting friends and family. Luella was with him at the end of his life and will remain a part of the Knudsen family forever.
His Grandchildren include Kord, Konner, and Kole who are the children of Dirk Knudsen and his wife Darcey; Tyler, Ashton, Jacie and Jenna Knudsen who are the children of Todd Knudsen and Chelsy Mast; and Payton Ward who is the son of Terri (Knudsen) Ward and Steven Ward.
Jack had one great grandchild in Abel Knudsen; son of Kord Knudsen. Jack was very pleased to know that his name would live on for many years to come in a 4th generation.
Jack Knudsen was known as a Coach, Mentor, Friend, Golfer, Sports Fan, Fisherman, and Father, Grandfather, and Friend. He will be greatly missed as he was a giant of a man in this world.
