[pct-l] Jack Fair

[Luvtobkpk@cs.com (Luvtobkpk@cs.com)]

Walt and I are blessed to have many memories of our visits with Jack. Behind 
all the cussing and yelling was a man who lived life to the fullest and cared 
about people in need.

Jack use to get gas for the illegals.  He had numerous gas cans stored in the 
shed and he always kept some in his car trunk (full)!  Of course the price 
was a bit inflated, and you had to listen to his story of the day before he 
would sell you the gas.  And he loved his dogs, because they loved 
unconditionally!

In '99 Walt and I got to Jack's where we were to meet up with Deb, Rebecca, 
Ron and Brian before heading out to the Mojave.  We had dropped off our food 
several days earlier to lighten our load.  Jack would do anything he could 
for hikers, we were "family" he said.  Allen Downs came in shortly after we 
did and needed some supplies.  We decided to go to the store for lunch and 
asked Jack if he would drive us.  He said he wasn't feeling well but we could 
take his car as long as we brought it back and we were to bring back a 
sandwich back for his dinner too. We must have been gone longer than we 
realized (food fantasies had to be satisfied - we ate a little bit of this 
then a little bit of that)! because Jack called to check up on us -- really 
he had gotten worried about lending us his car, he had forgotten who we were! 
Jack told them that we had stolen his car and he wanted it back!  Of course 
the ladies at the store knew who he was and that he must have lent us the car 
because we had already ordered his fries, loaded with cheese and a steak 
sandwich, just the way he liked it, "smothered with mayonnaise, not just a 
@#$% little bit either, it just don't go down right that way! "Our waitress 
told us to take our time, Jack wasn't going anywhere since we had the car, 
which did surprise them because he doesn't usually lend it to hikers. We felt 
very honored.

When we returned Jack was outside waiting for us, cussing up a storm, told us 
we owed him more because we had been gone so @#$% long and had probably used 
up @#$% lots of gas.  We said that would be fine and gave him his sandwich 
and fries, you don't argue with Jack!  He got quiet and said "Oh Yeah, I 
forgot about the sandwich, that's OK then, no harm done."  We didn't owe him 
any money either, he didn't @#$% remember who he'd lent the car to and got 
scared, but as long as it was @#$% us it was OK.
 
I was cleaning the kitchen when Jack came in and apologized again.  He said 
that this wasn't a good day for him, he wasn't feeling well.  He had fallen 
asleep in his chair and didn't see his car, knew someone took it to the store 
but just couldn' t remember who. Life had been good to him but he was getting 
pretty @#$%^ tired of it.  We had noticed that he seemed quieter and seemed 
to get tired quicker. He also wasn't cussing as much that day. Not a good 
sign!

For those of you who have met Meadow Ed (who is on the PCT trail again) he 
and Jack go back a long way and ME had been helping Jack out with the house 
and doctors visits for many years.  I hope Ed has learned about Jack, I'm 
sure someone has told him because he is the closest to "family" we know Jack 
had, although he did have children.

Rest in peace Jack, we'll miss you but your legacy lives on in the hearts of 
those you touched!  

Walt and Pat
The Happy Trails Couple  


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