Jack E. Tress passed away peacefully at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, Oregon on January 14, at the age of 91.

He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to John E. and Margaret (Saffell) Tress. He grew up and attended schools in Harrisburg. He attended Bucknell University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. After college, he worked one year for E. I. DuPont in Seaford, Delaware.

He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and after basic training was assigned to Yale University for eight months of intensive training in the Chinese language. He spent an oversea tour in Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines before assignment to the National Security Agency. After leaving active duty, he remained in the Reserves and subsequently retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. While attending officer candidate school in Texas, he met his future bride, Patricia Anne Klavano, a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. They were married in Aurora, Colorado, in March of 1955.

After leaving active duty, Jack and Patricia moved from Pennsylvania to Lebanon, Pat's previous home. They moved to Albany in 1958. Jack was employed at the Albany Research Center of the Bureau of Mines as a chemical research engineer until his retirement in 1987.

He and Pat moved to the Mennonite Village in 1992.

Jack liked sports and enjoyed playing softball, tennis, and golf.

He especially loved flying and held a commercial pilot license.

Jack is survived by his wife Patricia, a son, Craig (wife Lisa) of Albany, a daughter, Karen (husband Mark) Privratsky, also of Albany, four grandchildren, Meghan, Lauren, Emily, and Eric, and 8 great grandchildren.

At his request, no public service will be held.