Life well lived with exuberance, enthusiasm, and dedication … just a few of the descriptions that come to mind when thinking of Jackee. On January 6, 1937 Helen and Marvin Stalcup welcomed their girl, Jacqueline Jo in Julesburg, Colorado. The Stalcups moved from Julesburg to Worland, Wyoming, where Jackee attended elementary school and Washakie High School. During the school year and summer Jackee spent many hours at her Dad’s store, known as Marvin’s Men’s Store, where she gladly met townspeople and became adept at meeting people of all ages. Job’s Daughters was part of Jackee’s high school life and she became Wyoming state Honored Queen in 1954. Also while in high school and prior to graduating in 1955, Jackee was initiated into P.E.O., Chapter AA, Wyoming. (P.E.O. was a lifelong endeavor as Jackee in 1965 became a charter member of Chapter RN, Arcata, California.)

With her P.E.O. affiliation Jackee was introduced to Cottey College, which is owned by the P.E.O. Sisterhood. In the fall of 1955 Jackee began her first two years of college at Cottey in Nevada, Missouri, quite the switch from the Wyoming wild west. Jackee found lifelong friends at Cottey. She readily admitted that being an only child prompted her to hold fast good friends, especially Mary Sharpnack and Nan Barrett. With the achievement of an Associate in Arts degree from Cottey, Jackee enrolled at Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins in the fall of 1957. Jackee had handily absorbed Cottey’s slight focus on social graces which assisted in her becoming a Pi Beta Phi sorority girl at CSU. As her first year at CSU continued, it was customary for the Greek system to hold dance-mixers. As “chance would have it,” Jackee met one Larry Ford, an ATO (Alpha Tau Omega) fraternity fellow. Life began to move pretty fast. Larry graduated June 1958 and immediately went to Newport, Rhode Island to become an Ensign, USNR. It was 1958 when Jackee finished her third year in college the same year Larry introduced her to the Ford family during Thanksgiving. (She was a good sport tolerating Pam and John, Larry’s younger siblings.)

Jacqueline Jo Stalcup added Ford to her name on August 23, 1959 during their beautiful ceremony in Worland followed by a rousing reception in the Stalcup’s backyard. Not long after they were married, Jackee and Larry enjoyed dream duty stations in Hawaii and Seattle where Jackee was an active participant in officers’ wives’ groups.

Where to live after active duty ended in 1963? Jackee and Larry chose to live on Baldwin Street in Arcata. Between arriving and settling in Arcata, Jackee graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964. From Baldwin Street they moved “across town” to Sunny Brae — Charles Avenue — in March of 1965.

From the mid 1960s onward, Jackee continued to see life as a wonderful celebration involving family, friends, varied interests and her community. Merritt, born in 1965, and Merrill, born in 1974, gave focus to the future. Merritt and Merrill with their activities of 4-H, Cub Scouts, basketball, FFA, baseball, high School Rodeo, and the fairs provided highlights the entire year. When the boys showed their animals at the local fairs, Jackee was on deck with other parents (Peg and Doc Douglas and Ken and Marilyn Hardie) to provide safe keeping for the kids at the “Purple Circle” enclave. Many people may remember the joy filled Santa Claus parties Jackee and Larry held for a number of years…so festive and fun filled. Though perhaps not recognized as “fun,” Jackee served on the Humboldt County Grand Jury in 1973-74. She was also recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Foundation.

Jackee’s involvement with agriculture was extensive for many years, accompanying Larry to the ram sales, Cloverdale in particular, State President of California Wool Growers Auxiliary, serving in the local auxiliary, Bo-Peeps, and Humboldt County Cattlemen’s Association auxiliary, CowBelles. Jackee was instrumental in making the annual Make-It-Yourself-With-Wool contest a success. Soon after Larry became General Manager of the Redwood Acres Fair & Rodeo, Jackee would be seen in the office lending her support. In 2015 the Humboldt County Farm Bureau honored Jackee and Larry as Agriculturists of the Year, noting their many years of service to Humboldt County Agriculture.

Jackee’s and Larry’s family grew in 1990 when Merritt and Mary Dawn McKenzie were married and when Merrill and Liz Hinckley married in 2007. Always with a focus on family, grandchildren’s activities allowed Jackee and Larry to enthusiastically cheer for granddaughters McKenzie and McKenna at McKinleyville home basketball games, and a few years later to avidly watch grandsons JW and Jack show their 4-H project animals at the Redwood Acres Fair in June.

Brief illness prompted a drastic change for Jackee and Larry by recently moving from their Sunny Brae home to Timber Ridge in McKinleyville. Though vastly different than their accustomed surroundings, Jackee and Larry both commented how helpful and accommodating they found their present situation. Jackee received Hospice palliative care until she died the morning of August 2.

Jackee was fun. When you came into a room filled with people and Jackee was there, you could find her by listening for the distinctive pitch of her voice. When Jackee asked me to write her obituary, I asked her what she would like me to tell people when they asked about her. She answered, “ Tell them I’ve had a good life, I was cared for by a really good man, and I want to go home.”

Jackee’s family greatly thanks Jan and Kevin Bates for their extended friendship and years of thoughtful care and Timber Ridge and Hospice of Humboldt for conscientous care.

Jackee leaves behind Larry, her dear husband and partner of nearly 65 years; son Merritt and daughter-in-law Mary Dawn and grandchildren McKenzie and McKenna; son Merrill and daughter-in-law Liz and grandchildren JW (Jon Waylon) and Jack; sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews; Cousins Linda Sue Josslyn and Stewart Josslyn of Houston; George Sheaff of Worland, Wyoming, and a multitude of friends.

Jackee was preceded in death by her beloved parents Helen and Marvin Stalcup and cherished in laws Katherine and Art Ford.

A celebration of Jackee’s life will be held at a later date.

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