Jack Anthony Wombolt, 85

Jack Anthony Wombolt, 85, passed away due to complications after a prolonged illness. Jack was born Jan. 23, 1939, to Josephine (Moteta) Wombolt and John Wombolt in a home birth on Elder Street in Kellogg, Idaho. Most of his childhood was centered around the Kellogg area, moving for a brief period to Spokane. 

Returning home following his father’s passing, Jack and his brothers, along with all their friends, had an exciting childhood, adventuring and creating numerous great stories that he enjoyed sharing throughout his life. One of his favorite stories to recount was being able to participate on the championship basketball teams from 1954 to 1957. After graduating in 1957, he began an extended tour of numerous colleges to chase his basketball eligibility, including LCSC, Palomar Junior College, and Idaho State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September of 1962 and received an honorable discharge in November of 1964, spending his time playing baseball and basketball. Following discharge, he worked construction in Pocatello, Idaho. He returned to Kellogg, where he worked for a short time at Bunker Hill.

He married Linda Carlson Edwards in 1969, becoming a father to David, Brian and Brenda. They moved to Boise so that Jack could finish his bachelor’s degree in education. They welcomed Angela just in time for them to return to Kellogg, where he worked at Sunshine Mine until starting his teaching career at Kellogg School District #391 in 1971. He influenced a number of students throughout the years, sometimes needing his trusty wooden friend. In addition to teaching, he was extensively involved in school athletics. He coached freshmen basketball for a number of years, was an assistant coach for football, umpired for a few years, started many track meets and finally coached varsity high school basketball for two years. He retired from the school district in 2000 but continued to teach in the adult basic program at NIC from 2002 to 2010. 

He spent his summers away from teaching working for the Forest Service in fires, trails and timber sales … also where he left no huckleberry bush unpicked. He was a proud member for many years on St. Rita’s Parish Council, as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Rotary, and helped his community for years on the Wardner City Council and Milo Creek Watershed District board. 

Throughout his life, he got joy out of not only sports but terrorizing his children, grandchildren, and all of his many friends by retelling his many stories and watching TV with his treasured remote. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, David Edwards, and his eldest brother, Jerry Wombolt.

Jack leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Linda; his children, Brian (Mary) Edwards, Brenda (Mike) Benson and Angela Osborne; several grandchildren: Erin Edwards, Jodi (Arjun) Purvis, Nicole (Jason) Mingus, Shannon (Jeff) Barker, Brie (Logan) Hildman, Boone Benson, Jordan Osborne, Jade Osborne;  and seven great-grandchildren, Parker, Kyah, Brady, Brooklynn, Annabelle, Kruz and Connor; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

The funeral will be held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 27 Kellogg Ave., Kellogg, Idaho, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 1 p.m. Immediately following mass at St. Rita’s will be a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg and a reception at the Parish Center of St. Rita’s Catholic Church. 

Memories of Jack and messages of condolence may be shared with his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservices.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Wombolt family with arrangements.