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Jack was born on May 25, 1938, in Seattle, WA, to Ray J. Bontemps and Ruth L. Bontemps (nÇe Grant). He grew up throughout the Northwest, attending the University of Washington and obtaining a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He was recruited by Standard Oil of California (Chevron), where he spent his career in a variety of executive positions.
Jack arrived in Lamorinda with his young family in 1961 and over the years volunteered with many local organizations, serving on the board of the Mount Diablo Silverado Council of the Boy Scouts of America and as President of the Orinda Parks and Recreation Foundation where he helped establish the 12-acre Orinda Oaks Park and the 110-acre Orinda Open Space Preserve. As President of the Rotary Club of Orinda, Jack led the effort to bring lights to the Wilder Playfields, enabling local teams greater opportunity to play recreational sports. Jack also participated on the Advisory Board for the Lawrence Hall of Science and served from 2006-2010 on the Board of Directors for the Orinda Union School District.
Jack loved jazz and was an accomplished saxophone player, establishing his own bands in high school and college where he played school dances and fraternity socials. An avid tennis player, Jack was also an outdoorsman who loved spending his spare time hiking the Sierras or enjoying the north coast and the beautiful home he built at The Sea Ranch. Family and friends loved his quick wit, his positive outlook, his debonair style and, above all, his willingness to lend a hand when needed. He was a man of great faith and integrity, and he loved his family fiercely.
He is survived by his beloved wife and partner of forty-three years, Barbara; three sons of whom he was immensely proud: Doug Bontemps (Stephanie) of Lafayette, Todd Bontemps of Pleasanton; Jackson Evan Bontemps (Anna) of Oakland; and by his treasured grandchildren: Andrew Bontemps (Alena) of Denver, CO, Greg Bontemps (Claudia) of Emeryville, Sondrine Bontemps of New York, NY, and Austin Bontemps, Minneapolis, MN.
A Celebration of Life will be held on May 11th. For information, contact: jackbontempscelebration@gmail.com. Gifts in Memoriam can be made to: The Rotary Club of Orinda Endowment Fund, PO Box 44, Orinda, CA, 94563; or to the Alzheimer's Association of Northern CA.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA