Jack L. Nemceff

Jack Lucas Nemceff, 85, of Yucaipa passed away in the presence of family early on November 27, 2024. He was born on May 29, 1939, to Frank and Ann Nemceff in Butler, PA, and grew up in Lyndora.

Jack was honored to serve his county in the Army and Air Force for 30 years, retiring in 1986 as an Air Force Major.

His military interest began during WWII when his dad was a training pilot assigned to March Air Field and he and his mom stayed at the Mission Inn in Riverside. It was said he lied about his age so he could join the military at 17. He went to a big high school prom/graduation but never returned home from it. He enlisted in the Army and called his family from the Pittsburgh train station before boarding to Kentucky. He later was commissioned in the Air Force, making his family proud.

He was a Tech Sergeant when he married his wife, Delores Winn, on July 27, 1968, in Sioux City, Iowa. They had just celebrated 56 years together.

He was literally a Jack of many trades. Beginning in the military as a radar repairman, he later served as an accountant and auditor. After moving to Yucaipa, CA, he worked in multiple places and roles, including Desert Lawn, as a realtor, an auditor for Riverside County and for companies selling insurance and health products. He also worked at Burroughs, a machine repair company, in his earlier days.

His years in the service led him and his family to live in Ohio, Germany, Hawaii and California. He loved to travel, hike, try new things and have adventure. He took his family on road trips, including one across the country, and he passed his Wanderlust along to his kids. He started a Volksmarch club in Dayton, Ohio, and later started a club in Honolulu, Hawaii and the Green Valley Gators in Yucaipa.

 Always looking for ways to stay active, he tried his hand at golfing, square dancing, and bowling in a league with his wife for many years. He rode motorcycles and could play the accordion. He was proud of having earned his student pilot’s license in his 20s. He enjoyed working in the yard and even saved a couple of orange trees from what turned into a golf course. He always said his goal was to live to be 100.

Jack was friendly and would strike up a conversation with just about anybody, often ending it with “Have a blessed day, every day. Pass it on!”

As he began slowing down, he attended his church faithfully and went out with his ‘breakfast bunch’ friends, who would attest that he loved his ketchup and had to have his coffee creamers. “Fill it to the rim,” he’d say. He stayed closer to home and found enjoyment feeding his beloved cats that consistently came around.

He was an active member of St. Frances X Cabrini Church, the Knights of Columbus, Yucaipa Valley Lions Club, the Elks, American Legion, VFW and Volksmarching. 

Jack is survived by his wife, Delores “Dee”, son Jack L. Nemceff II (Laura), daughters Mildred Farnsworth (Corwyn), and Julia Cohen (Chris); grandsons Patrik, Nikolas, Samuel, and granddaughters Hannah, Emily, Ava, Desiree, Catelynn and MaKayla; brother, Frank Nemceff, and many friends and family.

Viewing will be Dec. 18 from 2-6 pm with a rosary at 4 pm at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel in Yucaipa. Funeral Mass will be 9 am Dec. 19 at St. Frances X Cabrini Church, 12687 California St., Yucaipa with reception from 12-4pm at the Knights of Columbus hall, 12568 California St., Yucaipa. A graveside service with military honors will be 11 am Dec 19 at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Calimesa, CA.

The family appreciates all the encouragement and help they have received and wishes to thank everyone for the kind thoughts, prayers, and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a favorite charity for Alzheimer’s, cancer or diabetes, or to Tunnels to Towers.

To send a condolence or plant a memorial tree, please visit https://www.emmersonbartlett.com