Jack Leroy Berkheimer, Jr. Passed away on October 24, 2024 at the age of 67 at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho, following a brief acute event complicating his chronic health condition.

Jack was born in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona on February 21, 1957 to Jack Leroy Berkheimer, Sr. And Mildred Kaye (Williams) Berkheimer.  He was the firstborn of four children.  He attended school in Mesa, Arizona but entered the military service in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to graduation from high school.

Jack served two years of active duty during the Vietnam War.  He was deployed during Operation Frequent Wind in which U.S. citizens and Vietnamese refugees were evacuated.  He was awarded the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge as well as the National Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal before being honorably discharged.  He continued to serve in the active reserves for an additional 4 years.  His time served in the military left lifelong scars that affected his physical health in addition to the scars.  Despite this, Jack was always proud of his Marine service in the Vietnam War and remained a deeply patriotic person throughout his life.

Following his military service, Jack returned to Mesa.  He worked several jobs there including as a sound engineer for the Arizona Based rock band Loosely Tight.  He was part of the group during their early years including their performance at the 1979 California World Music Festival in Los Angeles where they received top honors out of more than 2000 participating groups.  They shared the stage with Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, and Van Halen.

Jack opened his heart to love and was married to Christi Gemberling in the summer of 1980.  During his life, he was married two other times.  From his youth, he had an ability to connect with kids.  He was never blessed with children of his own, but developed close even paternal relationship during his life that remained very important and special to him throughout his life.

After his parents moved to Idaho, Jack did as well, settling in Chester, Idaho.  In Idaho, he worked for a number of years as a press operator at Porter's Printing, but spent the last decades of his life as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator at Cedarpoint Trucking and Lone Pine Nursery.  While trucking he was able to visit every state in the country except Hawaii.

As a youth, Jack enjoyed frequent family trips to the White Mountains of Arizona.  Camping and fishing were major enjoyments of his youth that he maintained throughout his life.  He enjoyed sitting on the banks of the Fall River or taking his boat to Henry's Lake for the "big ones."  These were opportunities to strengthen relationships with family and friends.   So, it shouldn't be surprising that when he retired in 2022, that he bought an RV and took to the road again, this time traveling and visiting family and friends.  During this time, his health deteriorated until he was no longer able to travel.

Jack is survived by two brothers: Mark Howard (Denice) Berkheimer of Gilbert, Arizona, and Walter Randal (Pamela) Berkheimer of Chester, Idaho, a sister, Jill Berkheimer Noble of Arlington, Texas, as well as 12 nieces and nephews and 21 grand nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death earlier this year by his mother and earlier this month by his father.  He was also preceded in death by a grandniece Lillian Lopez.

Memorial services will be held 12:30 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2024 at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg.  Following services he will be interred with military honors in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot, at 3:00 p.m..

Oorah! Semper Fi, Jack!

Service will be broadcasted at: https://my.gather.app/remember/jack-berkheimer