Walter J. Deierlein, Jr. best known as Jack, a life long resident of Skagit County, died on the 22nd day of October, 2010 of inoperable stomach cancer. He was born on July 4, 1918, at Montbourne, Big Lake, to Walter J., Sr. and Alice Sophia (Nelson) Deierlein. The family moved to Sedro Woolley where Jack attended school, graduating from high school in 1936. During the summers he worked in the logging camps and shingle mills. He participated in team athletics and was the high school cheerleader (the noisy type) and became president of the school's Boy's Club. Following graduation, Jack attended the University of Washington in pre-law studies. He spent vacations working as a seaman on passenger freighter ships of the Alaska Steamship Company before the Alaska Highway or airplane traffic made visiting Alaska common. This enabled him to maintain regular attendance at college through the Depression years. He was affiliated with Delta Tau Delta fraternity, became a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity and was elected to the Washington Law Review Editorial Board, a selective membership of students with high records. He was admitted to The Scabbard and Blade, a military honorary. His Academic courses were interrupted by orders to active duty in the Army following his pre-law degree and BA (1941). By that time he had completed his training in the compulsory military courses required of all male students at the University of Washington and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves. The Army sent Jack to duty at the Desert Training Center in California under General George S. Patton, who was conducting training maneuvers with armored vehicles and tanks. It was at this time he met his future wife, Lt. Mildred Crabtree. It was "love at first sight" and they corresponded regularly. Jack was ordered to England and sent to D-Day staging area on the English Channel. There he was assigned to command a detachment of fifty-two M-I tanks which were to replace D-Day losses anticipated in the invasion of France against the occupying German Army. Landing in France the then-Captain Deierlein was assigned to the Ninth and First Armies with an Ordinance Battalion. During the European Campaign he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in France. After the end of the war in Europe the huge mass of guns, tanks and vehicles remained to be prepared for shipment to the Pacific area and Jack, being young and single, was required to stay longer than some. Following his return, Jack married Micki on June 18, 1946, in Galax, Virginia, at her hometown church. Returning to Law School, he received his Law Degree at the University of Washington and began private practice in Mount Vernon. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Skagit and Island Counties and served two four-year terms. Jack became president of the Washington State Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Returning to private practice, Deierlein was appointed Superior Court Judge of Skagit and Island Countries by then- Governor Daniel Evans and served from 1966 to January 1989. During that time Jack was elected president of the State Association of Superior Court Judges, and served locally with Judge Harry E. Follman. As a retired judge, Jack was called upon to serve as temporary Judge on the King County Superior Court. Following his retirement Jack and Micki traveled extensively to all the continents of the world, except Antarctica. Every trip was exciting to them. They enjoyed meeting people of different backgrounds and visiting such Wonders of the World as the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, the Upper Amazon and the Taj Mahal in India. Jack Deierlein was active in the Mount Vernon Elks Lodge and became Exalted Ruler. He was president of the Mount Vernon Rotary where he was instrumental in moving the lodge meeting from downtown to the present north end. He was an Elder in the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, a member of the Board of Directors of the Skagit County Historical Society, president of the Pioneer Association and a member of the Washington Athletic Club. When his wife Micki passed in 2006, Jack felt bound to remain in the family home, among the furnishings, momentos and memories of his long life with her. Jack leaves his daughter, Sarah of Mount Vernon and families of his sister, Lorna Gavin and brother, James, both of whom predeceased him. The families are: Eileen Herrin, Pierre, South Dakota, and Thomas Gavin, Portland, Oregon; James Deierlein, Columbia, South Carolina; Steven Deierlein and Walter Deierlein, Blythewood, South Carolina; Eric Deierlein, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Kathy Green, Alexandria, Virginia. Jack also leaves his cousins Marlene Smith of Burlington, Sue Kelder of Mount Vernon and Nona Nelson. The family wishes to express love and gratitude for Jack's friends at Creekside Retirement Community where he lived the last year of his life. Also deserving of high praise are the fine health care professionals of Mira Vista Care Center and Skagit Valley Hospital. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Jack's name to the Walter J. And Mildred L. Deierlein Scholarship fund at Skagit Valley Community College. Viewing will be held Thursday, October 28, 2010, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Hawthorne Funeral Home. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held Friday, October 29, 2010, 10:00 a.m. at Hawthorne Memorial Park followed by the Memorial Service, Noon at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church. A Reception will follow the Memorial Service at the Church.