John “Jack” Fernhout

March 6, 1926 – January 3, 2016

In deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association report that John “Jack” Fernhout of West Des Moines, IA, left formation on 3 January 2016 at age 89. Jack was a 335th tail gunner. Folded wings.

Jack was born in Milwaukee, WI, on 6 March 1926 to Irish-born Catherine (O’Connor) Fernhout and John Fernhout, originally from Holland. He was based at Horham in 1945 and, as his obituary reads, “was most proud of [his] primary mission nam...ed Operation Manna/Chowhound where his unit dropped food to the starving Dutch population. 

“After the war, he began work at Standard Oil of Indiana in Milwaukee, WI, where he met his wife, Eunice. They moved several times during his tenure with Standard Oil/Amoco Oil, including Milwaukee, Madison WI, Baltimore MD, Roanoke VA, back to Baltimore MD, Arlington Heights IL and finally to West Des Moines, IA. Jack was fortunate enough to retire at the age of 59, after 35 years with the company. In his retirement he enjoyed pursuing multiple interests: he was a member of The Civil War Roundtable, Des Moines Modelaires Club (where he crashed and repaired more planes than he flew), served as an usher at the Des Moines Civic Center (so he could watch shows for free), and was a volunteer at the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

“Jack Fernhout was a devoted and loving husband, a wonderful father, as quick with a compliment as he was with a criticism, but his intent was always clear. He was an avid ‘letter to the editor’ writer (mostly criticism) and a voracious reader (which made for a remarkable and mostly incomprehensible vocabulary). His life was well lived and he leaves a loving family with numerous long stories of his life. 

“Jack is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Eunice (Clinard) Fernhout; his children: Chris (Linda) Fernhout of San Antonio, TX, Diane (BJ) Grassmann of Neenah, WI, Mary Landreth of West Des Moines, IA; his twin sister Rosemary Mahoney of Milwaukee, WI; and his grandchildren: Caity, Jack, and Scott Grassmann, Christine and Casey Fernhout, and Nick Landreth.

“He was preceded in death by his oldest son, John Brian Fernhout; his parents; his brother-in-law, John Mahoney; and his nephew, Michael Mahoney.

“The family would like to thank the numerous people who have surrounded and helped Eunice during this difficult time: VA Medical Center, Wesley Day Center, Rebuilding Together, West Des Moines Human Services, Unity Point Hospice, and Good Samaritan Society and Nurse Lilly.”