1950

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John Francis Ennis ’50, of Redding, Calif., passed away at home on December 4, 2012 due to natural causes. Known as Jack, he was born December 17, 1919 in San Jose, Calif. to John and Fannie (McClintock) Ennis, and grew up with them on their ranch near Cedarville, in Modoc County, Calif. He graduated from Surprise Valley High School at the age of 16, worked for the United States Postal Service and Bank of America, and earned his airplane pilot’s license before enlisting in the US Navy in 1941. He served as a radio operator onboard the USS President Adams in the South Pacific during World War II, including the Battle of Guadalcanal. After the war, he earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Santa Clara and returned to Modoc County and Cedarville. In 1952, he met and married Angela Cooke of San Francisco, Calif., and they eventually moved to Redding to raise their family. Jack made his career with the California Division of Highways (now Caltrans), coordinating road design with local cities and counties, ultimately landing his dream job as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, and retiring in 1981. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was active at St. Joseph Catholic Church and served the parish in many capacities. He was also active in the greater community; as a Boy Scout scoutmaster, as a youth baseball coach, and as a volunteer at the food bank. An accomplished public speaker and humorist, he was a member of the local chapter of Toastmasters International. He was a long-time member and volunteer with both the Whiskeytown Sailing Club and the Shasta Wheelmen bicycle club, continuing to ride his bike beyond the age of 90, and serving as a volunteer after that time. He was preceded in death by Angela, his wife of 60 years, and earlier by his sisters Mrs. Emma Fogalsang of Colusa, Calif. and Mrs. Carmen Schlatter of Wyckoff, N.J. He is survived by his son Tim Ennis and daughter-in-law Kathy Brock of Portland, Ore.; son Tom Ennis, daughter-in-law Donna Ennis and granddaughters Meredith Ennis and Colleen Ennis of Carmichael, Calif.; son Chris Ennis and daughter-in-law Lisa Ennis of San Francisco, Calif.; and son Ted Ennis, daughter-in-law Nancy Steel and granddaughter Alyson Ennis of Placerville, Calif. 

08 Nov 2018