Jack Elliott Fadley passed away peacefully on December 23, 2009.  Jack was born on July 20, 1923 in Alhambra, California to Olive Ann and Elliott. 

From very early in life, Jack was very ambitious.  In the sixth grade he started his first business.  His dad found an old Coca-Cola cooler, added wheels and Jack was in business.  He pushed it filled with ice and sodas to the corner of Monterey and Garfield.  He stayed there selling sodas until it was empty -- only then would he push it back home.  While he was in the ninth grade he started delivering the two Pasadena papers on his bike.  Later, he bought a car and was able to get a Los Angeles Times route.

Jack graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School.  After which, World War II intervened and Jack proudly served his country as a member of the Army Air Corps stationed in the Pacific theater.  After the war, Jack returned to honor the pledge that he had made to his mentors at Cal Tech and graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Redlands.

Jack began his professional career working as an internal auditor for General Electric Company.  His work led him to the New England area, where he would soon meet the love of his life.  Jack married Shirley from Pawtucket, Rhode Island on September 20, 1952.  They returned to Southern California to raise their two sons (Jeff and Jim) in San Marino.

Jack was the Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of Endevco and led the sale of the company to Becton Dickinson.  Jack purchased a struggling medical device manufacturing company and successfully turned it around, eventually selling it to Puritan-Bennett and entering retirement.

In 1989 Jack and Shirley made their retirement home at a golf course community in Palm Desert, California.  Jack enjoyed playing golf, drinking coffee with his buddies in the Club Grille Room as well as driving and tending to his red 1964 Porsche 356C.

Among a number of admirable attributes, Jack will be remembered for his generosity, honesty, and integrity.  He knew how important education had been in his life and strongly believed that hard work fueled success.  He was a faithful and loving husband, a deeply respected father and a fun loving "Papa" to his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Shirley; his sister Janet Culbertson (SPHS '44) of Timonium, Maryland; his son Jeff and wife Sally of San Marino; his son Jim and wife Diane of Dallas, Texas; and four grandchildren.

San Marino Tribune, January 14, 2010