Jack Edward Choate, 92, of Torrance, CA passed away on March 5, 2015. Born December 11, 1922, in Texarkana, Texas, the middle child of ten siblings, he will be remembered for his larger-than-life Texan-style sense of love, freedom, and adventure.

As a WWII Navy veteran he was committed to promoting an understanding of his fellow veterans' wartime sacrifices, as well as peace for future generations. Between the ages of sixteen and eighteen he attended CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and then enlisted in the Navy, spending two tours on various ships circling the world twice during WWII. He was at the invasion of Normandy, and aboard a minesweeper during the Battle of Okinawa. His WWII stories have been recorded and shared with hundreds of schoolchildren. In 1948, he moved to Torrance, which he called "the most beautiful neighborhood in the world" and attended the Northrop Aeronautical Institute. During this time he met his wife and soulmate, Delphine Louise Clubb, and lifelong friends, Bob and Bill Meistrell, with whom he enjoyed scuba diving. He worked on the development of the Space Shuttle at TRW Aerospace as a fuel technician until retiring, and also helped put his signature on many start-up companies including Robinson Helicopters.

His joys in life included deep sea diving, gardening, square dancing, tinkering in his garage, and playing his ukulele. He is predeceased by his wife and nine of his ten siblings, and is survived by his three daughters, Glenda Louise Delenstarr, Beverly Ann Bradley and Jaci Terheggen, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one brother and countless friends who will hold "Uncle Jack," or "Grandpa Jack" in their hearts forever.

His memorial will be held April 26th, 1:00pm -3:00 pm at El Retiro Park Center, 126 Vista del Parque, Redondo Beach. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations in Jack's name to Honor Flight, honorflightsandiego.org so that other WWII vets can experience the "Trip of a Lifetime."