Jackie "Jack" Eugene Orth

Jack Orth, 69, of Great Falls passed away on June 2, 2018. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. A reception will follow at Schnider Funeral Home. "Smiling Jack", was born February 19, 1949 to Robert and Elizabeth (Macek) Orth in Great Falls, MT.As the son of an Air Force Serviceman, he lived in England, Bermuda, North Dakota, West Virginia and Ohio. After graduating from Bedford High School in Ohio, he was recruited as a short stop by the Philadelphia Phillies.Upon receiving his draft notice, he enlisted in the Air Force on September 6, 1968.His first assignment was Malmstrom AFB, where he met his sweetheart, Judy Hannant. From 1971-1972, Jack was stationed at Osan and Kunsan in South Korea. He returned to MAFB until 1978 when he was assigned to Zweibrucken AFB in Germany. This assignment was followed by Ellsworth AFB in 1981.In 1986 he requested to return to MAFB where he eventually retired as Tech Sergeant March 1989. Although Jack chose serving his country over playing ball, his passion for the sport did not waiver. He was a YABA and little league coach for many years as well as an active supporter as a booster to the Great Falls Dodgers (now Voyagers). Jack was an enthusiastic storyteller and would bend the ear to anyone willing to listen.With each telling, the fish got a bit bigger and the trail a bit longer. Jack had an exceptional gift of the gab, and one was never quite sure if the story was true or not. Jack's final story before he passed, he tried to convince us a cow once pulled him out of a mud filled drainage ditch by the tail and dragged him to a missile site where he was thrown into a holding cell until a 2 star general verified his identity. Like any true Montanan, Jack loved fishing, camping, and hunting and made sure to pass his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. He was known for 'adopting' those far away or estranged from their own family and treating them as his own. He made a mean batch of BBQ ribs and Sunday breakfasts. But what really stands out, is his love and pride of his children and grandchildren. They meant the world to him. Jack is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy; children Nicole (Rennie) of Brooklyn, NY and Chris (Tawna) of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Kaitlyn Martin (20), Griffen Martin (18), Jillian Martin (14), of Brooklyn, and Tyler Orth (15) of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his brothers Don (Sabrina) and Norm (Sue) and sister Sue (Randy); and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Elizabeth and brother Bob. Jack will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all those whose life he touched with his warm heart and infectious smile. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.