Obituary for Jack Traynor

Jack Traynor

April 25, 1925 – July 1, 2017

Jack Robert Traynor was born on April 25, 1925, to William E. and Pearl C. Traynor in Newkirk, Oklahoma. He attended St. Francis Catholic School in Newkirk, and graduated from Newkirk High School in 1943. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served in the 320th Fighter Control Squadron of the Army Air Corp. During his service he was a radio operator, stationed in the Philippines, and earned the Good Conduct Medal, as well as the Victory, American Theater, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbons. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1949, Jack worked in the oilfields of Kansas and then at the smelter in Blackwell, Oklahoma. He studied at Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he focused on physics, physical sciences, and education, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science. After graduating, he began teaching electronics at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, leading him to employment in the aerospace industry. At the Martin Marietta Company he worked on aerospace engineering projects, troubleshooting at missile sites in several states, and rockets for the space program. During a reorganization of the Boeing Company, he moved to Seattle, Washington to work as a contract administrator for the aircraft manufacturer. His work took him throughout the United States, Japan, China, Italy, Ireland, England, and Canada. He took early retirement from Boeing to care for his wife until her death.

Jack passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at the age of 92. His many friends and family in Ponca City, across Oklahoma, throughout the United States, and around the world will miss his ready smile and wonderful stories about his travels and experiences. Jack will live on in our hearts and be remembered for his everlasting compassion with which he welcomed his loved ones throughout his final days.

Jack is survived by his sister, Betty Williams of Ponca City; his daughter, Lorraine and her husband Jeff Korklan of Tucson Arizona; his grandchildren, Mahala, Henry, Zoë, and Nicole of Tucson, Arizona; and many, many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Pearl Traynor; siblings Bernie Traynor, H.F. (Fedon) Traynor, Marie Traynor, Paul Traynor, Leonard Traynor, Russell Traynor, Raymond Traynor, Mike Traynor, Evelyn (Traynor) Leterle Neumann, Richard (Dick) Traynor, and Patricia (Traynor) Woodring.

A memorial ceremony for Jack will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Trout Funeral Home, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma with Father Deva Undralla, Associate Pastor at the Church of Saint Mary, will be officiating. Interment is to be at Vachon Island, Washington at a later date. The family requests no flowers.

Source: Trout Funeral Home