Jack Gene Maskey

Jack Gene Maskey, born October 10, 1948, of Cleveland Ohio, Ashland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina passed away October 21, 2020, from a previously unknown heart condition. 

A gentle and sweet spirit who loved nature, spirituality, wood crafts, gardening, basketball, and his family and friends that loved him.    

Jack was the star player of his high school basketball team. Here he is in junior high: #34 in the Jayvee Cagers. 

Jack was drafted right after high school graduation directly into the Vietnam War. After basic training he was sent to Powerman 52B20 training and worked as a Generator Mechanic and a Power Plant Operator on the front lines in combat in Vietnam. Isaac, Jack’s grandson, interviewed Jack for a sixth-grade school project.  

Jack earned three medals of honor: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

Although he carried many crosses from a tough childhood and time in the war, Jack never lost his infectious sense of humor and childlike levity, up until the last moments of his life. Jack wore many hats in life: craftsman, artist, basketball star, grandpa, husband/widow, brother, veteran, and many more. He was full of stories from his life, and his life can’t really be captured in a short obituary.  

He is survived by his step-daughter, Dina and grandson Isaac. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, in 2014. Here, and here are some pictures of Jack and his family.  

A private service will be held November 10th at the Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery. Jack will be given full honors. The family does not wish for flowers, only for continued prayers, support and love for our veterans.  

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." – Khalil Gibran

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