Jacob "Jack" E. Kleck

Jacob E. "Jack" Kleck, 85, of Cove, died Jan. 24 surrounded by his family with his eyes on his wife, the love of his life, Lois Kleck. He died after a long struggle with diabetes and heart disease.

A private family service will be held Saturday at the Kleck home. Friends are invited to stop by between 2 and 4 p.m. to share stories and visit with family members at 1903 Jasper in Cove.

Jack was born Nov. 31, 1923, in Paso Robles, Calif. He was raised on a ranch in the area. He grew up a cowboy, riding and training horses with his father.

In 1943, he joined the Marine Corps and was preparing for active duty when he broke his neck playing football. He spent the next year in the hospital and while there taught himself to play guitar. He shared his love of music with his family.

After World War II ended, Jack pursued his dream of becoming a veterinarian.

He completed vet school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins where in 1946, he met his wife of 61 years, Lois Kuemple. They married in June 1947 and returned to California where he began practicing medicine that same year. But Jack's love of the ranching life eventually led him to New Mexico where he fulfilled yet another dream - to own and operate his own cattle ranch.

While in New Mexico, he raised cattle, showed quarter horses, team roped for several teams and served for several terms as the New Mexico state veterinarian. Then, in 1970, he moved to Medical Springs where he owned and operated another cattle ranch for a number of years.

In Medical Springs, he began raising, cutting and showing cutting horses. One of the highlights of his life was riding his stallion, Dox Freckles, to a regional cutting championship. He was never happier than when aboard a good horse, and he was blessed with many during his lifetime.

Jack and Lois retired to a small farm outside of Cove in 1996.

He is survived by his wife; children, Jack Kleck of Union; Jeff Kleck of Maricopa, Ariz., Emry and his wife, Sandra Kleck, of Dayton, Wash.; and Judith Kleck Powell and her husband, Joseph of Ellensburg, Wash., nine grandchildren; sister, Gladys Bresslin of Santa Barbara, Calif.; brother, Dean Kleck of Bear Valley Springs, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, E.E. Dick Kleck and Edith Cryer Kleck; and a brother, Burt Irwin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Grande Ronde Hospice or any church.

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