Jack A Wilkinson

Coach Jack Wilkinson Jack Arnold Wilkinson was born on April 3, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa to Loyal “Oley” Arnold Wilkinson and Goldie Maxine (McCauley) Wilkinson. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lincoln City on April 15, 2026. When Jack was a small boy, his family moved from Iowa to Newport, Oregon where he would later spend his entire life in Lincoln County. He attended all twelve grades in Newport, graduating from Newport High School in 1969. Jack loved sports and was a 3-sport athlete for the Cubs, playing football, basketball and baseball; but his love was always football. He played both sides of the football for his coach, and later mentor and friend, Gene Morrow. He would later return to become an assistant coach under Coach Morrow. After high school, Jack attended and played football for two years at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon. He then moved on to Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Oregon where he also played another two years of football before graduating in 1974 with a teaching degree and a Bachelors in Health & Physical Education. He would later complete his Masters Degree in Education from Oregon College of Education, now known as Western Oregon University, in Monmouth, Oregon. Jack returned to Newport to begin his teaching career at Lincoln Junior High, teaching PE & Health for 8 years. During this time, he served as an assistant coach, studying and learning from Coach Morrow at Newport High. In the fall of 1982, Jack traveled north to Lincoln City to start a new job at Taft High School, teaching Health and PE and serving as the Head Football Coach for the Taft High Tigers. He would hold this position for the next 28 years, taking the Tigers to the playoff position in 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2003. One of the biggest moments of his career was beating Marist High School at Autzen Stadium in the first round of the 1999 playoffs. His other greatest highlights consisted of the years and time he spent coaching and mentoring his son John on the football field. John served as Jack’s quarterback for three and a half years. Many were the hour they spent watching and reviewing game films and making game plans. They both finished their high school football careers in November of 2009 walking off the field together, John in his last senior season game, and Jack in his final game coaching for the Tigers. Coincidentally, that last game for Jack was against Newport, at Taft. Jacks post retirement days were spent on the golf course, and watching his daughter Kelsey participate in Taft High Athletics. When Kelsey moved on to play softball at Linfield College in McMinnville, Jack never missed a home game, even traveling to nearby away games and tournaments, traveling as far as Tucson, Arizona. He loved being a proud papa, and even became quite the softball fan. Jack enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, and especially driving his Corvette. He loved Cruising around with his “Corvette Family” and his favorite co-pilot, Lindsay Ramberg Clark. Jack is survived by his son, John Wilkinson of Lincoln City, and daughter Kelsey Wilkinson of Beaverton; his former wife of 28 years, Kristin Wilkinson; his younger brother Gary Wilkinson of Logsden, and his life partner Lindsay Ramberg Clark. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oley and Goldie, and older sister Marilyn Pittenger. Arrangements are being handled by Bateman Funeral Home in Newport. A Celebration of Life is pending at a later date.

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Jack A Wilkinson

April 3, 1951 - April 15, 2026