Jack Gyer, long-time Oakhurst resident and founder of the Sierra Star, passed away this morning at the age of 98.
Jack was instrumental in starting many organizations in the community, including the Sierra Lion’s Club, the Historical Society, the Positive Living Center, the Vision Academy, and with his wife Jane, he helped organize many of the art groups in the area.
In 1957, he began publishing our local newspaper, the Sierra Star. Jack was a much-loved and revered member of the Oakhurst Community, and his contributions are still a large part of life in the mountain area.
Jack Gyer passed over to a new dimension of life this week. He became a dear friend to all who had the pleasure to meet him. He enriched the life of others with his friendship and love.
Jack loved the Oakhurst community and all of Eastern Madera County. His heart and passion went into creating a loving community and his creations will go on for many years to come. He founded the Sierra Star, our local newspaper. He is the founder of the Vision Academy of the Arts and the Sierra Lions Club of Oakhurst. He is one of the founding fathers of the Positive Living Center of Oakhurst and after several years of study became and ordained minister. He participated from the beginning on establishing the Boys and Girls Club, helped us establish the Educational Enhancement Foundation. He was one of the founders of the SPICE program (Seniors Participating in Community Education), a program that gave our senior citizens a venue to work with the local schools as volunteers. His physical presence will be missed; however, his loving presence will be with us for many years to come through the many programs that he created.
Jack was like a father to me the twenty years I lived in the mountains. he was warm, caring, funny, encouraging and made life richer for all who knew him.