John P. (Jack) Cadden, of Eastsound, Wash. passed away on Nov. 8, 2013 at age 88.

He was born on Feb. 9, 1925 to John and Dora (Morgan) Cadden in Denver, Colo. The family moved to Orcas Island in 1928, where the Cadden family owned and lived on 200 acres at Guthrie Cove. Jack and his younger brother, Jerry, spent hours on the beach. As a young boy his first job was working at the old Orcas store and keeping the fire burning in the furnace at the Orcas Hotel.

Jack joined the Marine Corps during WWII at age 17. He was sent to Guam with the 22nd Marine, 6th Division, where he was the lieutenant’s bodyguard. Jack was wounded twice and received a Purple Heart with a Gold Star and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Upon returning to Orcas, Jack finished high school. In 1950 he married Nancy Arney and they had three children, Patty, John, and Gary.

Jack went to work for Orcas Power and Light Cooperative and was a lineman for 35 years. He saw many a winter storm and worked long hours getting the power back on. Jack lived to WORK. He had the first backhoe and dug miles of ditch all over the island.

Jack and Nancy took over Bonnie Brook farm which was established in 1917 by Nancy’s parents. He loved being a farmer. Jack enjoyed the cows, his tractors and getting the hay in the barn.

Jack was preceded in death by his son, Gary who was lost at sea in 1988 and his wife, Nancy who passed away in 2000, just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jack is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Dave Resch; son, John Cadden; grandchildren, Sandra Watters and Dan Watters, all of Eastsound; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 at Woodlawn Cemetery with the American Legion Color Guard, followed by a celebration of Jack’s life at the American Legion Hall at 2 p.m.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Wash. and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Jack, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, the Cadden family asks that people who opt to contribute send their gifts to American Legion Post #93, Eastsound.