I remember Jack well from 1967. We both arrived to Browning MT in January to teach for the remainder of the year at the middle school.  Upon first meeting, Jack drove to East Glacier and found a rental for the two of us. Living with Jack provided me with a fabulous meal each evening and story after story after story. Many about JFK & LBJ in the US Senate. Others about Bigfork.
One more story: Jack's favorite drink = "Moscow Mule"   - Jack would always carry his own Ginger Beer to make sure the Bar could make one.

I arrived in Chinook, Montana in the summer of 1966 fresh out of college. Cub Brooke the Chinook School Superintendent had hired me to teach Problems of American Democracy and Civics. Little did I know that I was succeeding Jack Upshaw, a legend in the school. Jack had moved on to be the superintendent of a tiny Montana school district. 

Over the next decade, I got to know Jack's family especially his brother Joe who was a pilot of a small plane during the Vietnam War. Jack and his dad were staunch Democrats as was my self and we would while away the hours talking politics. Being a Paige in the United States Senate Jack could spin tales of JFK and Scoop Jackson while they admired themselves in the senate cloakroom..

In 1976 Jack spent three months at the Sixth Form College in Castle Point in England. My wife and I were just down the road in Benfleet. We had more than a few pints at the Hoy and Helmut. 

That same summer Jack took all of us to a huge gala in London attended by the queen to celebrate two hundred years of American Independence. 

Alas, 1976 was the last time I saw Jack. However, I thought of him many hundreds of times. Today, I have a tear in my eye as I write this note.

Deepest condolences to all who knew and loved dear Jack Upshaw. He dedicated his life as an educator to enriching his students’ lives. These short words in his obituary don’t even hint at the impact he had on thousands of young people over his teaching life, his acting life, and directing life.  After a long career at Charles M Russell High School in Great Falls, Mont., where he taught drama and took many groups of his students on trips to professional theatre productions, he moved to Long Beach, Calif. to teach at inner-city schools for many more years. In Great Falls, he ran the summer stock company Summer Showcase where he also acted and directed. These were priceless experiences for local and visiting artists that changed lives and brought the community together. I remember his generous spirit so fondly and am deeply grateful for his life. I wish my teenage self could have thought to tell him so in the moment.  ~ Patricia Britton

Jack and my Father “David Hunter Sr.” and my mother “Dorothy Hunter” were the best of friends.
Jack was my theater teacher at Charles M. Russell High School from 1971-1974 and mentor/Boss at Summer Showcase In Great Falls Montana In 1979 and 1980 and once again for Jesus Christ Superstar as Orchestra Director for Summer Showcase.

As a significant member/friend of our family Jack was a regular at our dinner and game table throughout the years.  

I remember a time with Rene and Jack when she and I were asking Jack who the best theatrical class was at CMR.  As Rene mentioned, in her condolence  for Jack, Jack had this look of dismay on his face for he would have never seen one class over the other.  He was a mentor and friend to both Rene and I and saw us as equals and he our Mentor.

Margaret and I were in Long Beach to board a Carnival cruise ship for a 24 day cruise on Splendor to Singapore in October of 2019.   We took Jack out for a Birthday Dinner while in Long Beach.  It was the last time we had an opportunity to see Jack.  It was a wonderful time of remembrances.

Jack was a wonderful friend to me and our family!!!
He was an exemplary Mentor in the field of Theatrical Arts to all that had the blessing of having Jack over look their theatrical path!!!

Thank You Jack for your time and caring for me and my family!!!  God Bless You!!!

Dave Hunter

Ahhh Mr Upshaw, what is there to add …. The summer trip to see summer stock theatre with you and three of my fellow Thespians,  the multitude of performances on that hallowed stage, the friendships you cultivated. These are memories that are golden and have lasted me a lifetime, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Until me meet again, Rest In Peace.

Just hearing of Mr.  UPSHAW'S passing.  He was not afraid to push you to be your best.  Like many others I was lucky enough to get to make an Oregon trip to Asland & Portland to see some fine theatre & bond with fellow Thespians.  Jack made that possible.   With fond remembrance. Rest in peace sir.

To Mr. Jack Upshaw, 
    You were a major influence on my life. Your tutelage was never lost on me.  Thank you so much for the trip to see Shakespeare in the Round, Seattle, and Portland. "Uppy" you were the best! Godspeed my friend.

I adored Jack - and told him, many times,  that after my father and my grandfather - he was the most influential man in my life.  Jack was SPECIAL.  While I cannot specify exactly what he taught me about acting and theatre (aside from loving and respecting it!). What I do know is that he was the person who gave me the confidence to believe I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to….  As only the BEST kind of teacher can do.  I’ve carried that support with me everyday  since - so Jack has always been a presence as I’ve navigated my life and career.  I suspect that he had this special touch with each of his students… without us ever even knowing it.  

Happy to say that aside from being my teacher and mentor - we also became great friends and stayed in touch all these years.  He knew that he was adored by all of us, his “Theatre Kids”…  I fondly remember, many years ago, sitting at lunch with Jack and students from various CMR graduating classes and his bemused look as we all debated who cared for him the most….  Sharing this slightly blurry pic of myself, Jack and Susan Berkompas (Ensley) - because that look of “irritation” on his face, as he put up with how much we ADORE him is just SO JACK.

Jack gave me my love for all things Shakespeare. He was a dear friend right to the end. He loved people well! I brought him to my production of Harvey that I directed, and it was a full circle moment for me. Jack continued to show his unwavering support to a theatre kid! He was a mentor to so many of us. I will miss our Jack! ❤️❤️❤️

Mr. Upshaw meant so much to me during my high school years at CMR in Great Falls, Montana. He is the one who got me to Oregon. He took myself and 3 other students to the Shakespearean Festival in Ashland, Oregon our senior year over spring break because we took honors at the state drama competition . That trip changed my life. I decided to go to the University of Oregon in Eugene after that and still live in Oregon to this day. Mr Upshaw had a way of bringing out the best in his students . He is one of the reasons I became a teacher and taught elementary school for 38 years. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying he will be missed greatly.

Jack Upshaw was my drama coach while I attend Charles Russell High School (1976-1978).
He was more than a teacher to me. Not sure I have the words to explain how much this man taught me not only about theatre, but about life. 

One thing I know for sure, the world somehow is just a bit dimmer with him no longer in it.

Rest in peace, Jack. You were golden.

OBITUARY

Jack Edward Upshaw

October 2, 1938 – December 30, 2023

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