He was born in 1933 in Lewistown, Mont., and was raised in Lapwai, Idaho on the Nez Perce Reservation, the fifth of seven siblings.
His father owned the town barber shop and his mother operated a restaurant that the family lived above on Main Street. Jack became immersed in the Native American culture, traditions and friendships during his youth and fondly recalled playing in the grassy hills of the Palouse, swimming in the Clearwater River, shooting pool with the adults at his father’s business and working for various farmers to make enough money to buy books and baseballs.
Jack played varsity basketball and baseball for the Lapwai High Wildcats before attending Gonzaga University and earning his degree from the Washington State University College of Pharmacy in Pullman, Wash., in 1956. He completed his U.S. Army basic training at Fort Ord, California in 1958 and served on active reserve duty until 1965.
Jack took his first job out of college in Chewelah, Wash., where he met and later married Eileen Rose Hansen in Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 7, 1959. He moved his family to rainy Longview, Wash., in 1964 and finally settled in sunny Hermiston in 1966 where he worked as a pharmacist at the Hermiston Drug and raised eight children.
In 1971 he partnered with his brother, Jerry Sobotta, to buy and operate the Hermiston Drug Store and later the Orchard Pharmacy. This is where Jack left his mark on the greater Hermiston community through his selflessness and dedication to serving his customers, employees and medical partners for over 27 years before his retirement in 1998.
He enjoyed many special trips including a religious and aid pilgrimage to the holy sites in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, tours of various Civil War battlefields in the eastern United States and to South Bend, Indiana to watch his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team play.
Jack spent his free time meticulously manicuring his yard when he was not attending a ballgame of one of his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. He was a passionate reader about the Catholic faith, studied Native American history and folklore and was a Civil War buff. He loved spending time visiting with friends and relatives and also rooting for his Washington State Cougs, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Fighting Irish and Seattle Mariners.
Jack is survived by his wife, Eileen Sobotta of Hermiston sister, Rosemary Webb of Lapwai, Idaho; brothers, Jerry (Kay) Sobotta of Hermiston, and Bob (Loretta) Sobotta of Boise, Idaho; daughters, Cheryl (Dan) Riley of Kennewick, Wash.,, Rita (Dave) Davis of Hermiston, and Debbie (John) Tolan of La Grande; sons, Rick (Nancy) Barnhart of Tigard, Perry Sobotta of Hermiston, Sam (Lisa) Sobotta of Bend, Matt (Davi) Sobotta of Seattle, and Tom (Heather) Sobotta of West Linn; as well as 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents, George and Ann Sobotta; brothers George Sobotta Jr., and Dick Sobotta; sister, Gloria Mullay; and great-grandchild Eastin Strebin.
Recitation of the Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church with burial to follow in the Hermiston Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church building fund.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
