John Bilbao

John “Jack” Eusebio Bilbao, 90, a resident of the Banks community passed away
Monday July 27th in Portland surrounded by his large and loving family.
Jack was born on January 15, 1936 in Nampa, ID. He was the only child born to
Eusebio and Josephine (Luque) Bilbao. He was raised in Nampa and attended Nampa
High School graduating with the Class of 1954. He then attended Gonzaga University
and received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1958.
He married Shirley Saunders in 1958 and they had four children Teresa, Kimberly, Julie
and Christopher. They made their home in Seattle until 1962 when they moved to
Portland. They later divorced. He met his future wife Kathryn “Kit” Hatfield, while at
work, later they began dating and following a five-year courtship they married on June
12, 1986 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverton. They made their home in
Beaverton until 1994 when they moved to Manning (Banks)
Jack was a mechanical engineer. He had worked for Boeing in Seattle and Sandwell
(AKA Harris Group) in Portland. After working on several projects at Willamette
Industries he retired in 2007.
His idea of a vacation was his home in Banks. Kit and Jack spent many hours caring for
their horses and Jack would make up any reason to use their tractor. He loved the farm
life. Jack also was musically talented. Growing up in Nampa he played his accordion for
many Basque activities. In his college years Jack was in the glee club at Gonzaga
University and performed across the PNW. He played golf, racket ball and bowled. Kit
and Jack also enjoyed trail riding, family gatherings, trips to Idaho and holidays with the
family.
He is preceded in death by his parents
He is survived by his loving wife, Kit, four children and their spouses; Teresa and Dan
Fishback of Banks, Kimberly Magers of Hillsboro, Julie and Rich Schoenert of Newberg,
Christopher and Shelly Bilbao of Beaverton, ten grandchildren and six great
grandchildren with 2 on the way.