Jack First, 95, passed away September 28th, 2017 in Rapid City, South Dakota.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Phyllis, three daughters, Gail Kelly (Richard),

Sue Gilton (A n d y ), and Nancy First, two grandchildren, Emily Errea Berg (Kevin) and Brian Errea (Gretchen), and seven great­ grandchildren, Charlie Berg, Tommy Berg, Sadie Berg, Holly Berg, Jack Errea,

Eric Errea and Gabrielle Errea.

Jack was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Southern California during the Depression. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1942 and was part of the 5th division, which captured the island and raised the flag on Iwo Jima in 1945.

After the war, Jack and Phyllis were married in 1947 and made their way to Lancaster in the California desert, where they opened a small business, Jack First Gunshop. The business grew and grew, and in 1994, they moved the family, the business, and several employees to Rapid City. The business changed, to concentrate on wholesale gun parts and manufacturing of obsolete parts, and today has customers all over the world. Jack worked at "the shop" until four weeks before his death.

Jack was always proud to be a part of the community in which he lived. He was dedicated to learning, and decided to go back to school, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in history when he was 70 years old.

He was a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Reserve for eleven years, and served on two school boards in Lancaster. He was active in many shooting organizations and promoted the enjoyment and safety of the sport with adults and children over the years. Jack made a substantial contribution to Hunter Safety programs, both in California and South Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Rapid City Rifle Club Junior Shooters' Program:

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11:00am, Friday, October 6, 2017 at   Osheim & Schmidt Funeral home. Inurnment of his ashes will take place at 1:00pm, Friday at Black Hills National Cemetery
with Military honors.