Obituary of Jack Edwin Conrad
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4 RET, US Navy) Jack Edwin Conrad, 73, of Saint Maries, Idaho, died on 21 December 2023, after a long battle with cancer.
Jack was born in Vallejo, California in 1950 to Donald and Irma Conrad. The family made many military moves, during his childhood and finally settled in Anchorage, AK. Jack always considered Alaska his home. He joined the Navy, in 1968, as part of Alaska’s Aurora Borealis Company. The company that was comprised of all Alaskan residents, who then attended Boot Camp together, before many were sent to Vietnam. He served two tours in Vietnam as a Seabee with NMCB 121. He rose through the ranks from E1 to E6 then crossed rating to Ocean Systems Technician in Anti-Submarine Warfare. He again rose quickly through certification processes and rank, being selected for E7 and the Limited Duty Officer’s Program in the same year. He was commissioned in 1983. Jack progressed through O3 before he crossed to CWO4 for the remainder of his 28 year career. He retired from the Navy, in 1996, but continued to work for the Army as a Civilian in Alaska. Jack medically retired in 2007.
Jack met the love of his life, Karen K. Conrad, in 1977, on Midway Island. Jack was her supervisor at the Naval Facility. Although they faced many obstacles, with their difference in rank, they were excited to start their new lives together. The two were married on December 31, 1978, at Andrews Air Force Base, Chapel 2. Jack started the tradition of stopping at McDonalds for a milkshake on the way to their wedding reception. Much to Karen’s embarrassment, the cashier called all the staff to see this girl in her wedding dress at the drive-thru. This tradition continued, on the way to the hospital, for the birth of each of their three sons. Jack and Karen could not wait to start a family of their own and their children are a source of pride and joy for them.
Together, Jack, Karen and the kids navigated the obligation of being frequently uprooted and moved from one tour of duty to another. They moved 18 times in 38 years, finally settling in Idaho in 2016. Each move was a new adventure and there were many favorites, including Iceland and Adak, Alaska. They made many lifelong friends along the way.
Jack was preceded in death by Donald Conrad, (father); Irma Jacobs Conrad (mother), Richard Conrad (brother), Betty Conrad (sister-in-law), and Sharon Conrad Beinke (sister). He is survived by his wife, Karen Kirkley Conrad, his children: Diana Conrad Dalton, Donald E. Conrad, James A. Conrad (Ashley) and Robert Paul Conrad. His grandchildren include: Michael Andrew Dalton, Matthew Dalton, Ryan Dalton-Laur, Abbi Lynn Dalton-Laur, Lyvanna Rose Conrad, Joseph Andrew Conrad, Philip Alexander Conrad, and Jack Edwin Conrad.
A service will be held at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, Saint Maries, Idaho at 11am on January 3, 2024 followed by military honors presented at Woodlawn Cemetery Veteran’s Memorial at noon. A Celebration of Life will follow all services at Country Barn B&B, Cataldo, ID at 3pm.
