Jack Elwin Gourley, 84, of Foster passed away Sunday at his home. He was born in Long Beach, California to Robert Mancel and Eldwana Eileen (Gray) Gourley.

Jack was three when his family moved to a ranch in Riverton, Wyoming and he was always a cowboy at heart. In 1942, the family moved to Portland. Jack worked at the Kaiser Vancouver Shipyards before enlisting in the Air Force during World War II. The family moved to Sweet Home in 1945 where they owned and operated the Junction Gas Station. Jack came home to Sweet Home and worked for Willamette Industries. He met and married Betty B. Taylor in 1949. They opened G-2 Electric in 1972 specializing in computerizing sawmills and in industrial electrical work. He supervised electrical service for many sawmills in Washington, Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Tomco, Inc., in Foster. They bought a home in Joseph in 1977 and enjoyed living and vacationing in that beautiful area of Oregon.

Jack served as a Branch President and then as Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1958 to 1969. He served a mission in the Northwestern States Mission and again, later, with his wife in Jefferson, Oregon. Jack loved the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program and helped many young men achieve their ambitions in Boy Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout, Wood Badge Instructor, Bridge Builder, Scout Master, Committee Chairman, Roundtable Commissioner, and recipient of District and Local Merit Awards in Scouting. He was awarded the highest scouting achievement, the Silver Beaver.

Jack enjoyed the outdoors and had a gold mine he enjoyed working. He collected rocks and enjoyed hiking, hunting, and fishing. His family always meant the most to him and they all had great fun together on many excursions.

Jack in survived by: his wife of 62 years, Betty; sons, Larry (and wife, Patty) of Foster, John of Salem, and Robert (and wife, Natalia) of Foster; daughter, Jeanette (and husband, Guy) Graves of Foster; sister, Maxine Rice of Foster; sister-in-law, Jane Gourley of Foster; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; daughter, Cheryl Ann Gourley; brothers, Bob R. Gourley and Bill M. Gourley; and daughter-in-law, Tamara Taylor Gourley.

Viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2011, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweet Home. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.