Jack Tomlin
Posted By tatemortuary on July 25, 2010
Jack Braton Tomlin 1940 – 2010
Jack Braton Tomlin passed away Sunday, July 25, 2010 after a long and valiant fight against cancer. He was born November 23, 1940 in California. Jack was a United States Marine and was dedicated to the Corps all his live. He moved to Tooele over 40 years ago in his search for open space and freedoms. From his early youth Jack was a collector of World War II military paraphernalia. Jack was an avid collector of military vehicles and military arms. His collection of military vehicles from World War II was one of the finest in the country. He was the first national president of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the local chapter president for a number of years. Jack restored a number of rare vehicles including a WWII DUKW amphibious vehicle (a duck). Jack drove the duck to California, shipped it to England, and sailed it across the English Channel to France in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. He also drove this vehicle through out France and other various countries. Jack also donated much of his time and talent to the community. He often showed his collection of vehicles in local parades, to school students, and various veteran celebration and activities all over the country. He was a contributor to the scouting program and often donated meals to those in need during the holiday season. Jack had a quick wit and a colorful sense of humor. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tooele 7th Ward located 1025 W. Utah Avenue (200 North) in Tooele. A viewing will be held Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary 110 South Main in Tooele and before the funeral from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the church building. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
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Jack you will be greatly missed down at applebees, I always loved waiting on you and your friends, you always put a smile on my face, and was a great guy to talk too.
Please accept my condolences. Jack was wonderful to work with at the VFW functions! Please know I will keep your family in my prayers!
Thanks for your service to our country and your efforts to keep our military heritage alive. RIP
I am very sorry to hear this. My father and I had the privelige of meeting Jack and his wife about 12 years ago. We were on the way home to Colorado from the Reno air races and thought we would just stop by and see what he had for sale. We spent most of an afternoon with Jack and were lucky enough to be taken into the inner sanctom of his collections, “the Colt boxcar” and were told some of his amazing stories. Later that year we purchased some surplus from him and had to turn right back around to go home. Since we did not have a lot of time to spend with him he decided to load us up with a bunch of really cool loose items he had just sitting around the yard…….We really enjoyed the time we spent with Jack and his wife. We appreciated their hospitality and generosity. The world will be less bright with Jack gone from it. JF3
Jack was many things to many people but to me he was my dearest friend, my step-dad, the only love I’ve ever had the privilege to receive all my life excepting of course, my kids. He was my tower of strength when my mother (his ex-wife) was being mean to both of us. He was my hero because we were both fighting cancer together and when I’d feel down or scared, he’d tell me, “Don’t listen to those doctors…you can live as long as you want to.” He gave me stregth to carry on though without him and not being able to say goodbye, I’m totaly lost and my saving grace is that the last thing he said he me in his weekly callls to me in CA was “I love you”. He was a brilliant man and God broke the mold when he made Jack Tomlin. Everyone all over the world knew his brilliance, his integrity, his knowledge of WWII equipment. He gave me the brightest memories I’ll have ever known in the war games of “surprise and attack” that we played on each other every time I’d visit. There will never be another to fill my heart with joy or laughter like he did and I’m gong to miss him more than anyone could ever realize. “I love you too” was my reply and now I just hope when its my time to go and this cancer has eatenme alive too, that Jack Tomlin will be saving me a seat by his throne of glory. I miss you daily Jack…with all my heart and soul…..we all miss you. Vicki Luciano
I want to write a story about Jack so every submission to my email regarding stories of him will be accepted. Please send stories to vickiluciano1949@yahoo.com
I first met Jack when Tooele was disposing of thier vehicles to local and state governments.
At that time I was Emergency Coordinator for Missoula Co Mt and screened and transported vehicles for several Mt Counties Jack was a wonderful resource ,and a real piece of work.The first trip back to Mt with 4 6×6 trucks ,we stopped at the scales, and spent the day there while the State found out what A DOD Lease title was. I remember telling Jack about our woes, and he said Hell Man, put on a kaki coat, and cap and drive right by. Dammed if it didnt work and we did it for all of the many trips.
Our daughter recently moved to Salt Lake, and we are having xmas with her . I told my wife tho other nite that I wanted to look up Jack and see how he was doing,as I have not been in contact with him for several years.
A real gentleman has passed on, and he is one person I always could count on for help, advice and a great story,Jack you will be sorely missed.
Jack you was always friendly and you has always time to ask how it was. You was proud over your collection of weapons and other military stuff but i think you have it for fun not becuse it has a value. Once you show me howe to shot a bowling ball out from a gastube and on a tour on your big scrapyard you show how ants was living and the flowers there. You also loved the big mountin.
I`m also pleased that you liked the tour with your Duck in the waters around Stockholm in Sweden. We will not recive any special cristmas card from you anymore, and not have any to se in Tooele.