Haines, Oregon
Jack Hausler Stevens, 91, of Haines, died Aug. 27, 2006, at his home.
At his request, there was no funeral. His family honored his request with a private celebration of his life.
Jack was born on March 31, 1915, at Seattle, Wash., to Mathew and Mathilde Hausler Stevens. He lived a full 91 years. During his life he owned three businesses: a neon and plastic sign company at Renton, Wash.; a soft ice cream drive-in at Seattle; and Radium Hot Springs Park at Haines.
In the early 1970s, Jack sold his business properties in Seattle and moved to Haines to operate Radium. He relished his new lifestyle.
He became known for his passion for collecting antique cars, his unfailing humor – which showed itself in tongue-in-cheek signs on his pool property – and published collections of cartoons he created for the Horseless Carriage Club Gazette in Washington.
His talent was displayed in his creative sign-painting work visible on buildings from bars to restaurants, at rodeos and parades, and on vehicles ranging from trucks to sports cars in Baker City and Haines.
His acquisitional skills in finding authentic Coca-Cola memorabilia and everything in car art, from signs and posters to hubcaps and gas pumps, were legendary. He “tripped the light fantastic” on many an area dance floor, often in award-winning costumes, with his companion, Helen Mae Phifer.
Jack was a vital, active presence to the end, still making signs in his 91st year, and spending the last night of his life out dancing.
Survivors include his daughter, Sherry Stevens; son, Randell W. Stevens, and his wife, Carol; sister, Rosanne Nelson; nephew, Steven Nelson, and his wife, Nancy, and their three children; and niece, Sue Nelson, and her two children.
Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, September 5, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor