Jack Thompson, one of the founding members of North Valley Search and Rescue, passed away on December 4. The Daily Inter Lake carried his obituary. They also had this to say in their December 9 editorial . . .
The North Valley has lost quite a leader with the passing of Jack Thompson.
Thompson, who died Sunday at age 71, was the main man for decades at North Valley Search and Rescue.
The burly Columbia Falls man was a fixture at rescues and search scenes ever since the North Valley group formed in 1970. As the man synonymous with search-and-rescue efforts, he also served as president of the organization for many, many years.
Thompson, who had a long career at Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. and even took up a retirement career digging graves, will be missed.
There are countless people over the years who can probably credit their survival to Thompson and the other dedicated volunteers of North Valley Search and Rescue.