Jack Boss

Sep 18, 1945 -

Oct 3, 2023

Jack Boss passed peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 3, 2023. Jack was born to Melvin "Mel" and Irene (Sayles) Boss in Grand Rapids, Mich. He attended Creston High School, where he excelled in academics, ran on the cross-country team, served on the 1962 and 1963 school yearbooks and started a chess club.

He studied at Grand Rapids Junior College and Grand Valley State Colleges. His junior year, he joined friends on a trip to California where he studied math, chemistry and advanced calculus at University of California Berkley. Prior to graduating in 1968, he joined the Army, attending boot camp in Fort Polk, La., and NCO school at Fort Hood, Texas.

He was transferred to Tay Ninh Combat Base, Vietnam, where he served as Sargant and troop leader in the 25th Infantry, Tropic Lightening, from 1969 through July 1970. He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, receiving two bronze and a silver star for his valor and care of fellow soldiers.

Upon his return, he attended Grand Valley State Colleges, graduating with a B.A. in psychology, minoring in sociology. When registering for classes, Jack became reacquainted with his future wife, Fran Seager. They got married in a friend's apartment in December 1970, surrounded by immediate family and close friends.

After being shunned by employers as a Vietnam vet, he was hired by Kent Oaks Psychiatric Clinic in Grand Rapids, where he worked as a case manager. He took numerous additional training in psychiatric care; his specialty was working with schizophrenics. He moved to Kalkaska in 1981, working as an outpatient case manager for Antrim Kalkaska Community Mental Health, for CEO Robert "Bob" Irvine. Restarting his cross-country running, Jack and Fran participated in numerous country festivals, where he ran 10ks, half and full marathons, often winning medals in his age group. They also spent many summers camping, fishing and exploring lakes and rivers in Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula and Ontario. Frequently, after dark, Jack could be found creeping down rivers in pursuit of the elusive brown trout.

In 1987, Bob Irvine opened a Mental Health Clinic in Wasilla, Alaska, and asked Jack to join their team. Upon waiting a year for Fran to complete her studies, he moved to Wasilla where he worked at the Wasilla MHC, Life Quest etc. After Irvine retired, Jack worked for Hope Community Resources and for South Central Counselling Center in Anchorage, retiring in 2010. Jack empathized and cared for his clients, often taking them fishing, camping or picnicking. He was an advocate for the homeless and the under-privileged.

Alaska and the Yukon brought greater fishing opportunities, where Jack and Fran continued to camp, canoe and snowshoe. More recently, Jack enjoyed outdoor gatherings where he shared his grilling prowess, lifelong stories and tremendous sense of humor.

His fly tying hobby enabled him to hurl that fly on quiet waters in hopes of a rising trout.

Happy unencumbered fishing Jack.

A service will be held in May 2024, at the National Cemetery on JBER, per his request. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts in his name to the charity of your choice.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, "Mel" and Irene Boss; sisters, Bonnie Boss and Margie (Meier) Boss; brother, Mitchell Boss; and nephew, Mathew Boss. He is survived by his wife, Fran Seager-Boss; sister, Lori (Romig) Boss; sister-in law, Annette Boss; nephew, Mark Boss (Kristin); Mathew's companion, Ginger Scoggins; Jesse (Autumn) Meier; niece, Kate (Meier) (Len) Simons; nephew, Brett Romig; niece, Gwen Romig; in addition to numerous grand and great-grand nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind his childhood neighbor and lifelong friend, Robert Kowalski.