Jack Donald Todd

Todd, Jack obitApril 29, 1929 – October 28, 2015

Jack Donald Todd, age 85, passed away October 28, 2015, at his home in St. George, Utah. He was born April 29, 1929, in Columbus, Ohio, to Elmer and Clara Todd.

At the tender age of six months old his parents moved to Kalispell, Montana. They lived with Jack’s grandparents for two years while his parents made arrangements to move to San Jose, California. He attended Burbank Elementary and Santa Clara High School both in San Jose.

He then attended, with a full tuition academic scholarship, and graduated from Santa Clara University with a bachelor degree of electrical engineering. Jack learned how to work at an early age he worked for Cunningham Men’s Clothing Store during his last year of elementary school and his first two years of high school. He worked as an estimator for overhead in 1951.

On May 1, 1952, Jack reported to Camp McCoy, as an ROTC graduate, 2nd Lt. (Engineer).  During his service an error was found on a bridge he was building. He promised to have the bridge rebuilt by that evening for vehicles to cross, and he did. He was promoted to 1st Lt. prior to the Korean Conflict. After an honorable discharge, he returned to San Jose and his job with PG&E for six months, followed by jobs with Lockheed, Buck Mfg., Assistant Professor – San Jose State College, and U.I. Labs.

In 1958, he opened Gurries & Todd Consulting Engineers with $750 loan from his mother, matched by $750 from Mr. Gurries. Jack separated from Richard Gurries as a business partner in 1969, and operated Jack, D. Todd, Inc. for 42 years designing the electrical systems for hundreds of schools, many public, private and commercial buildings in the San Jose, CA area. From 2004-2014 Jack worked as an electrical consultant for Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California.

In January of 1951, he married Mary Kathleen Vadar, who preceded Jack in death. On Jack’s 60th birthday he hosted a sit-down birthday party for himself and about 300 friends at Lou’s Village. That evening he announced he had given Carol Mangono a ring. Everyone clapped in congratulations. Although it was a huge diamond ring, he later laughed and kidded, “I didn’t say it was an engagement ring!”

On June 5, 1998 Jack married Carol A. Mangono in Minden, Nevada, in their new RV. They spent many years traveling with their RV. After being in the town for only a few hours they purchased a home in St. George. He is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Larry (Kim) Todd; step-daughter, Daryla Mangono and fiancé Jim Mathew; step-son, Jerry L. (Julie) Mangono Jr.; grandchildren: Christine (Richard) Hayes, Lauren Todd, Melissa Catalano, Mathew Mountford, J. L. Mangono, and Alise (Justine) Krulee; great-grandchildren, Christian Lester, Cody Catalano, and Conner Catalano.

He is preceded in death by his Parents, brother Harry Todd, and daughter, Patricia Todd.

Funeral Services

  • Per Jack Todd’s request there will be no public services, private family services will be held at a later date.
  • Interment will take place in the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara, California.

Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, Utah 435-673-2454.

 

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