Obituary of Jack Babington

Our beloved Jack Babington left us Wednesday, January 9th, 2024 at the age of 85 years old.

Jack was born on May 31st, 1938 in a farmhouse in Corral, Idaho. Jack stayed on the farm until his late teens, dry wheat farming, tending to alfalfa crops, and helping milk cows. His love of the outdoors stayed with him through life.

He graduated from Camas County High School, where he played basketball. In his youth he fought fires on Soldier Mountain, blazing trails, working at the Ranger’s Station, and working on slash gangs for the lumber industry. He served in the Air National Guard from 1956-1962. While in the Guard, Jack went to school at ISU’s Trade and Industrial School to become a machinist. He spent his professional career as a mechanic, first for various car dealerships before landing with Union Pacific Railroad, where he spent the remainder of his career as a road machinist, retiring in 1991 after 28.5 years. Over the years, he rode bulls and built racecars, finding no challenge too great.

In 1959, Jack married Judith Ann Mathison, and together they had two daughters, Jaylene Marie and Cara Franciene. As Jack continued his work with Union Pacific, they travelled around the State participating in square dancing exhibitions.

Jack was a fantastic dancer, and in 1984, Jack married his dance partner for life, Judee Cummings, embracing her three teen children, and she his two daughters. While their romance started on the dance floor, Jack and Judee shared romance started on the dance floor, Jack and Judee shared a love of the outdoors as well, and spent years enjoying the RV life. Many seasons were spent around Idaho, including Arrowhead Resort in Cascade, and Fort Running Bear at Camas Reservoir, where Jack would often help by opening and closing the resort for the season.

Throughout his life, Jack was a tinkerer- never letting the challenge of any mechanism defeat his will. Vacations from hours in his shop to visit children were always met with, “Dad/Jack, could you take a look at…?”, which he always did with a smile and positive results. Jack was a lifetime member of Elk’s Lodge #1448, and a member of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Jack leaves behind, his wife of forty years, Judee Babington; his two daughters Jaylene Seamons (Jim), and Cara Royle; his three stepchildren, Brent Deide (Kelley), Scot Deide (Michelle), Tracy Deide; a legacy of love in his thirteen grandchildren, thirty-five great- grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; and his brother Richard Babington. Jack was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Babington and mother, Katheryn Babington.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held in the spring.