Jack Lystra

Jack Charles Lystra died Nov. 18, 2011, in Corvallis. He was 87. Jack was born Feb. 12, 1924, in Four Lakes, Wash., to Russell and Grace (nee Vandenacre) Lystra. He was the second-oldest of five brothers and a sister. Jack graduated from high school in Montana, and later moved with his family to Los Angeles, Calif., where he met his future wife, Betty Stewart. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and trained as a waist gunner on a bomber, although he was never deployed overseas. Jack and Betty were married Jan. 2, 1948. They soon moved to Pella, Iowa, where Jack attended Central College. Jack and Betty then moved to Corvallis, where Jack founded Lystra Insurance, which he ran for 35 years. Jack’s eldest son, Wayne Lystra, continues to run the insurance agency today. Jack was deeply involved in civic organizations, and eager to help those around him. He served on the board of First Baptist Church, and was instrumental in Open Door, now known as Cornerstone, which helps the handicapped. He worked with the American Legion to keep youth baseball fields up and running. Seniors could count on Jack to get them around town with Dial-A-Bus, which he managed. He also was a member of the Lions Club, and he sang in the OK Chorale singing group. Jack was always smiling, and had an inextinguishable sparkle in his eye. He was quick with a joke, and even faster at making friends. He seemed always to have a youthful sense of joy about him. He had many hobbies. He loved to work with wood, and helped his grandchildren build toys in his workshop. He once built a large replica Dutch-style windmill in his backyard. Jack also restored and collected antique phones, many of them made of wood and dating to the earliest part of the last century. Even as a kid, Jack was a tinkerer. When he was young, he built a unicycle in his father’s bike shop in Conrad, Mont. He kept it with him his entire life. Jack is survived by his wife, Betty of Corvallis; their four children, Wayne (Janet) Lystra of Corvallis, Linda Lystra of Corvallis, Karen (Kevin) Salinas of Eugene, and Terry (Renice) Lystra of Chandler, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Robert Lystra, Donald Lystra and David Lystra; and a sister, Ruth Nolte.

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Jack Lystra

February 12, 1924 - November 18, 2011