Jack Lyle McDermott

Jack L. McDermott January 18, 1920 - August 11, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jack L. McDermott, who died peacefully on August 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 106 years old.

Jack was born on January 18, 1920, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Peter James McDermott and Margaret Callahan McDermott. He was the third of six children and grew up alongside his siblings Mick, Meredith, Frances, Mary, and Bill, all of whom preceded him in death.

Jack attended Ashton High School, where he was elected student body president in 1937. He later attended the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho, now Idaho State University, where he joined the forestry club and played basketball.

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Jack became a third-generation railroad engineer. The McDermott family's engine service on the Oregon Short Line, now Union Pacific Railroad, began in 1881 when Jack's grandfather, P. J. McDermott began his railroad career. His grandfather was also a founding member of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 228, chartered on August 6, 1883 which is still active today.

Jack's father, P. J. McDermott II, began his 52-year railroad career as a fireman in 1906. He retired in 1958 after 52 years of service. Jack had the special honor of serving as his father's fireman on his final run and, years later, while serving as local chairman in 1966, Jack presented his father with his 50-year Brotherhood pin.

Jack began his own career with Union Pacific Railroad in 1941, shortly after the Great Depression. His railroad career would span more than four decades. He became the last locomotive engineer in the Utah-Idaho Seniority District qualified to operate steam locomotives.

In 1944, at the age of 24, Jack was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He served with the Army's 746th Railway Battalion in the European Theater, where he operated steam locomotives across the Rhine and into Germany. His service included participation in operations during the Battle of the Ruhr, when Allied forces surrounded and captured large numbers of German troops.

Jack never considered himself a hero for his wartime service. He would often say that the true heroes were the many men and women who never came home.

During a Christmas visit to New York with a friend, Jack met Margaret MacDonald. The two continued their courtship through love letters while Jack was away at war. They married in Buffalo, New York, in 1946, and shortly afterward made their home in Idaho, where they raised three beautiful daughters; Kathy, Debbie, and Betty Jean.

His daughters meant the world to him. Jack always cherished the countless memories they made together. From camping trips to Island Park to family road trips back to New York to visit relatives, he treasured their time together. Some of the fondest memories were made along the New York coast, where the girls would spend hours digging for crabs along the beach. Jack and Margaret later divorced, but his love and devotion to his daughters remained constant throughout his life.

Throughout his railroad career, Jack remained deeply committed to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He eventually became General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen's Union Pacific-Utah/Idaho Seniority District General Committee of Adjustment,

serving from the early 1970s until his retirement in 1982. His dedication to working people and the railroad craft left a lasting mark. Agreements he helped negotiate continued to serve as the foundation for labor agreements still used today.

In 1975, Jack met Della Johnson, the woman with whom he would spend the next 35 years. Together, they enjoyed retirement and the simple pleasures of being outdoors. They spent countless hours tending their orchard, vegetable garden, flower beds, and loved watching the deer from their back door. They built a life filled with love, companionship, and many cherished memories. Della passed away in July of 2010.

Family was the foundation of Jack’s life, and he held his relationships with his siblings, nieces, nephews, and their families with profound devotion. His daughters lovingly remembered a cherished Thanksgiving at his sister Mary’s home in Boise with Grandpa and Grandma, and relatives gathered in warmth and closeness, including his brother Mick and his family. Jack and the girls also traveled to California to visit his sister Meredith’s family, a trip made unforgettable by sharing time together. Another treasured journey they took was to Arizona to spend time with his brother Bill, who introduced him to the card game Canasta—memories Jack carried with deep affection. Throughout his life, he remained steadfast in nurturing these family bonds.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the nieces and nephews who stayed connected with Dad through calls and visits, offering comfort and companionship up to his final day: Michael McDermott, Kay and Denny Hall, Great‑Niece Ann Marie Meadows, Great‑Great‑Niece Rylee, Great‑Great‑Nephew Liam, and Brenda and Ray Harris. We also honor his dear friend, Tim Donnigan, whose loyalty and love made him family in every way.

Friday lunches were a treasured family tradition with Jack which brought him joy. Every week, family members would gather at local restaurants to share a meal, swap stories, and enjoy one and another's company. Jack looked forward to these lunches immensely; it was his favorite time to catch up on the lives of his grandkids and great-grandkids, always listening intently so he could proudly brag about their achievements to anyone who would listen. Over the years many of the waitresses who served them became good friends. 

For decades, Jack was an avid early-morning golfer whose dedication to the game rewarded him with two career holes-in-one. He was also a competitive card player who enjoyed winning and was never shy about pointing out a mistake—or calling out anyone he suspected of not playing the right card. Jack also enjoyed traveling with family. He was well into his 90s and still taking trips with his daughters to visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in California and Florida.

Jack was 52 years old when he first became a grandfather and 87 a great-grandfather which became his favorite role in life. Age was just a number to Jack; he continued to live life with curiosity, humor and a youthful spirit. He cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking immense pride in attending their sporting events, performances, and other milestones. His sharp mind and remarkable memory remained a source of amazement to his family; he remembered every grandchild's and great-grandchild's birthday and faithfully sent cards and gifts to mark their special days.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Peter James and Margaret McDermott; his siblings, Mick, Meredith, Frances, Mary, and Bill; and his longtime companion, Della Johnson.

He is survived by his three daughters, Kathy (Ron) Eaton, Debbie (Dave) Milsted, and Betty Jean (Shane) Warner; his 10 grandchildren, Jesse (Toni) Harbour, Vanessa (Mike) Bejarano, Kristin Milsted, Brandon (Brandi) Milsted, Whitney (Dave) Phillips, Shane (Gena) Warner, Krissie (Kevin) Brown, Nichole (Tom) Ward, Rona Eaton, and Patrick Eaton; 30 great-grandchildren; and a growing generation of great-great-grandchildren, with the newest addition to the family expected soon. He is also survived by Roxanna Anderson, Jack's chosen daughter, who has long been a cherished and important part of Jack's life and the lives of his daughters.

Jack's integrity, honesty, strong values, kindness, sense of responsibility helped shape generations of his family. And no one could forget his unmistakable sense of humor, which brought laughter and joy to those around him. Those qualities remain woven into the fabric of the family he leaves behind. His was a long and extraordinary life, defined by family, service, hard work, loyalty, and enduring love for the people who mattered most to him.

On his 106th birthday, Jack offered a simple reminder that reflected both his humility and his awareness of the generation to which he belonged: "There are not many of us left. Be kind to World War II veterans."

Jack's family hopes his words will inspire others to pause and remember the sacrifices made by him and the brave men and women who have served. May we honor all veterans and their service by showing them dignity, kindness, gratitude and respect they so deeply deserve.

Jack leaves behind a long and beautiful legacy, and his family will forever be proud to carry his memory, his values, and his stories forward.

A special recognition to Sierra, his activity manager, and Bree his physical therapist, who were important to Dad and the daughters. 

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 524 N 7th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201. Family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow the service at the Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, ID. Following the inurnment, family and close friends are invited back to Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck, ID for a Reception/Luncheon. 

Memories and condolences may be shared via the Guestbook below.