Jack Fulcher
On the way to Ashland for a weekend of theater
As it must to all men, the end of life came to Jack on the 20th of April. He has crossed the rainbow bridge, and is no more. He has passed on. Bereft of life, he rests in peace. Jack has rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. He has expired and gone to meet his maker, he has ceased to be. Jack is an ex-economist.
No, I won’t be serious. Jack was never serious, and would be laughing about something and making obscure wisecracks right this minute if he could.
The Flower of Danville with Gail and Jack
The only way to get Jack to stop joking was to be mean to the Flower of Danville, Lisa. The scariest words I ever heard were the evening after a bridge player had disparaged her at the club. Jack and Lisa were at our house, and I sarcastically asked if he was going to go beat the guy up. Jacks answer: “He wasn’t home.” Jack the ABD (all but dissertation) PhD in economics could turn into a caveman at a moments notice when Lisa was concerned, and there was a real possibility of two 60-ish guys fighting in the street over her honor.
Beyond Lisa, Jack’s greatest love was Chica, his dog. Yes, he liked Mike and Billy and all the other animals in the menagerie, but Chica held his heart.
Going to the theater with Jack was always a treat because of the discussion afterward, especially if it was a play by his favorite playwright, Tom Stoppard. Jack’s opinions and insights were as interesting as the play; sometimes more. Maybe that’s because he was a child actor, working in the background of movies in the early to mid 50’s.
I’ve never met a man who loved his job more than the late Mr. Fulcher, or was sadder about retiring. Still, Jack was playing cards a few days a week, still reading and keeping up with the PUC, vacationing in Hawaii, and walking dogs, all while protecting and caring for the Flower of Danville.
There was nothing religious about him, although he had been raised Methodist. He chose to donate his body to UCSF.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, May 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 3175 Teigland Road, Lafayette.
Totally Unauthorized 
Well done, Chris. But I thought Jack was also an attorney for the PUC, right?
Jack was an economic analyst for the PUC.
Thank you, Chris, for writing this for Jack. I agree that somber would not have cut it with Jack.
Very nice words Chris. Jack was fun to be around even when playing a serious game. No longer seeing him at the table is a genuine loss for all of us.
my deepest and profound condolences
my deepest condolences to Lisa and all of his friends and family. He will be sorely missed. Thank you Chris for sharing.
Chris,
What a wonderful tribute to the man known to me as “Tocayup” (since we were tocayo/tocaya). I will miss his humor, laugh and helpful words at the bridge table.
Thanks for writing this glimpse about Jack. It was great working with Jack on the Haunted House over the years and those many, many hours.