Jack Carver

12/05/1917 – 07/13/2013
Jack Coston Carver passed away at home July 13, 2013. He was born to William-Coston and Gertrude Carver on Dec 5, 1917 in Bellingham and was a lifelong resident and community advocate.
Jack attended the Bellingham Normal School, Fairhaven High School, Western Washington State College, and the University of Washington before he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was stationed in England until 1945. Following the war, the Newspaper business was his passion in life. He started with the Bellingham Herald in 1929, as a newspaper carrier; the son of the managing editor. He began his official career there immediately after returning from England in 1945 until he retired in 1981. Throughout his legacy career as an award winning photojournalist, Jack took over 55,000 photos of local news events, sports, and most proudly capturing local people doing ordinary yet interesting things. He loved his work and said the joy of being a Newspaper Photographer was getting to know so many wonderful people. AP selected a few of his human-interest photos to be sent around the world. Jack was a hometown and History fanatic. He read the Bellingham Herald every day of his life since he learned to read. If he was away for weeks or months, he would request it be forwarded to his destination or read every back issue upon his return. He loved to follow and capture community events, careers of local students, public officials, teachers, family and friends. He thought everyone’s life was an intriguing story worthy of capturing in writing and photos. He was a lifelong advocate for education and in 2006 started the Sam Carver Memorial Scholarship fund for Western Athletics. Although Jack retired from the Newspaper in 1981, he was active and involved in the work he truly enjoyed all his life. He was Senior Scene editor for the Bellingham Herald, worked for the Bellingham Visitor Bureau staff, and most recently has been working to catalog and identify his photos that were donated to the Whatcom Museum. In 2012, Jack was honored by the Museum at a public birthday celebration and special exhibit displaying his photography work, which humbled him greatly. He also received the Mayor’s Arts Award that same year. Throughout his life, he also held community positions such as March of Dimes chairman, PTA president, Volunteer of the year, and commander for the American Legion local Post #7. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Jack lived a full life right up to the end. He attributed his healthy long life to looking at the glass half full and always learning. He said “there is not much I would change if I could live it over again”. He loved to travel with family and friends in Washington and the Southwest U.S. He was passionate about local activities such as Lake Padden Golf, the annual Lynden Fair, Fairhaven Alumni, and Blossomtime. Jack had a circle of lifelong close friends, many which he will now join in death, but others spanning generations will miss him.
Jack was married to Camille Carver for 57 years until her death in 2007. He is survived by his loving children, Steve Carver (Joanne Allen), Mary Carver Wilson, Nancy Carver-Walstrom (Kevin Walstrom) 8 grandchildren; Tyler Wilson, Brian Wilson, Avena Carver, Symon Davis, Ethan Davis, Erin Walstrom, Michael Walstrom and John Walstrom, and 1 great-grandchild, Madison Carver. He is also survived by his sister Jean Carver-Clark and special nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Friday July 19th at 12:30 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with a reception following.  A committal will take place at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale following the reception.  Memorials may be made to the Sam Carver Memorial Fund or the Whatcom Museum.