Jacque William Cohen
Jacque William Cohen of Oakmont died Monday following a battle with cancer. Born June 2, 1924 in San Francisco to parents Jacque Cohen and Harriett Griggs Cohen, he was a third-generation Californian.
Jacque spent his early years in San Francisco, moving to the Central Valley in 1934. He graduated from Porterville High School in June 1942, when he enlisted in the US Naval Cadet Program. He earned his flight wings May 31, 1944 in Corpus Christi, Texas; the same day marrying his high-school sweetheart, Nelda Jean Stratton of Porterville, CA. She predeceased him in May of 2000. He served as a naval aviator through the remainder of World War II in the Ferry Command and on the island of Okinawa.
Jacque received his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara and began a well-respected career as an educator, serving as a teacher and counselor at Temple City High School and Vice Principal and Principal in the South Pasadena School District.
He served the State of California Department of Education as a mediator in the Special Education Program.
Throughout his academic career, Jacque remained active in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, serving as Commanding Officer of VMA 241, Los Alamitos, CA, an A-4 Skyhawk Squadron. He culminated his 30-year military career, retiring in January 1972 as Colonel, USMC Reserve.
Jacque is survived by his four daughters, Janell Ciatti (Joe) of Ross, CA, Susan Loban of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, Kay Miller (Jordan) of Arcadia, CA and Chris Querrey (Mike) of Thousand Oaks, CA; nine grandchildren, Greg Livengood (Danielle), Andrea Livengood, Melissa and Lauren Loban, Brad Miller (Aimee), Heather and Colby Miller and Sam and Ellen Querrey; three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Jack and Chase Miller; two brothers, Wallace Cohen of Carlsbad, CA and Phillip Cohen of Sydney, Australia.
He is also survived by Lois Kelly of Oakmont, his beloved companion for the last seven years of his life.
He was active in the Rotary Club of Oakmont and SIRS Branch 92, where he was to have served as Big Sir beginning January 2008. He was an active volunteer at the Pacific Coast Air Museum and a proud member of The California Pioneer Society.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, Porterville.
