Jack Leroy Cutting

Jack LeRoy Cutting passed away peacefully on 02/05/2025 at the age of 88, after battling kidney & congestive heart failure. He was born in Sacramento, CA & was the only child of Vera Wilhelmina Cutting (nee Snyder) & Ralph Hardy Cutting. When Jack was 4 years old, the family moved to Oakland, CA. His dad was the owner of Cutting’s 5 & 10 cent store in the Fruitvale District. Vera was a homemaker, who canned fruits & vegetables (all home grown) and was avid at crocheting.

As a young boy Jack worked for his dad in the store doing various tasks, earning 40 cents/hour. He graduated from Fremont High School, Oakland in 1955. In his senior year, he met his future bride of 68 years, Marilyn Alice Felton. They married in 1956. Following high school, Jack served in the National Guard (8 years) attaining rank of Master Sergeant, while attending Oakland Junior College (2 years), then transferring to San Jose State University majoring in Biological Science. Jack’s lifelong friend from high school encouraged Jack to apply for a job at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and so he did in 1957 initially working part time while attending school. He eventually earned his B.S. from LLNL. In recent years, Jack worked in the High Explosive Applications Facility (HEAF), initially in Electronics Engineering and eventually as a Physicist. He retired from LLNL in 1999 but continued to work there part time until October 2024.

Jack was the proud father of Steven Roy Cutting (Kathy), Vicki Jean Cutting Schaefer (John) and Lynn Alice Wilson (preceded in death by Bob). He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren (Carson Cutting (Ceara) & Brenna Cutting; Jesse, Sam & Ellie Wilson; Melia, Keilani & Kai Schaefer) and 2 great grandchildren (Charlee & Calvin Cutting) who all call him “Papa Jack.”

Jack & Marilyn traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally. Boat cruises were one of his favorite modes of travel. Over the years Jack had several hot rods & boats he continually tinkered with. He was also a Corvette guy, who has owned at least one since the early 1960s. He built his first boat at age 14. He progressed to building the first family ski boat (Misty C), then a hot boat (Grumpy’s Toy) that Steve & Vicki waterski raced behind. He then purchased a more family-oriented Spectra ski boat. He also enjoyed piloting their 34 ft Sea Ray Cruiser until September 2024. He & Marilyn were members of the Weber Point Yacht Club where Jack served in various staff officer positions over the years.

Jack was also a HAM radio operator (W6UKW) from the age of 14. He was a member of the Livermore Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) and was always prepared to help with any community crisis or event LARK volunteered for.

There are many legacies that Jack has left, but one of the greatest is camping at Eagle Lake, CA since 1966. Although Jack & Marilyn had not been there for the past few years, their kids & grandkids still make the trek.

A memorial service will be held for friends and family at First Presbyterian Church Livermore (FPCL) on Saturday March 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Guide Dogs of San Rafael, the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org), or FPCL Memorial Fund.