LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jack de Vine, a “Star of Lake County” has passed.

Jack de Vine passed from this life Nov. 15, 2013. He was born October 25, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He is survived by his life partner of 47 years, JJ Jackson. He is also survived by his niece, Debbi (Mark) Robertson and her children and grandson (Jenny, Chris, Sarah, Daniel, Jake and Cory).

At the age of 3, his mother and father, Ida Mae and Merrill “Andy” de Vine, moved Jack and his sister Diane to Hollywood, California.

Jack graduated from George Washington High School and attended USC majoring in marketing, while also finding time to excel in theater lighting.

He served in the US Army during 1956 to 1959 and was stationed in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the American Consultant Corp. One of his duties was helping Emperor Haile Selassie’s son learn and speak English.

After the Army, Jack became a widely recognized bartender known as “The Host of the Valley.” A Jack de Vine party was described by the LA Times as “an intimate gathering of 3,000 close friends and a host of others.”

As a general manager for Nash Enterprises, Jack was in charge of The Purple Lion, Ali Baba’s, The Farm, and The El Dorado Steakhouse.

In 1972, he became general manager of the World Famous Seven Seas Supper Club across from Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

During this time, he assisted his father, and succeeded him, with the family business, A.D. Filmbooking Service, delivering short subjects to theaters throughout the 11 western states.

Also, the side business of de Vine Feathers provided fancy feather work to entities and stars like Ice Capades, Bob Mackie, Carol Burnett, Cher, Ann-Margret, Roberta Flack, Diana Ross and Mitzi Gaynor.

While visiting family in Northern California, Jack and JJ took a detour through Lake County and fell in love with it.

In 1982, they began their adventure at The Bungalow in Clearlake Oaks. Jack quickly acclimated to the community and became very active in civic affairs.

Throughout the years, he served as the president of the Lions Club and the Ka Ba Tin Civic Club. He became the general manager of the Robin Hill Restaurant in Lakeport.

After this, Jack worked with the senior centers, the tribal communities, community outreach, Senior Support Services and delivering “Meals on Wheels.”

In 2003, he began working for California Indian Manpower as elder’s coordinator at Robinson Rancheria. In April 2013, he began volunteering at Lakeport Senior Center as a Meals on Wheels driver up until his last day.

In 1999, Jack received the very first “Star of Lake County” presented as Senior of the Year.

Throughout Jack’s life endeavors, he was always involved in many organizations that impacted the community.

He was a people person and blessed many with his caring and charming personality. In his presence, you always felt welcomed and loved.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Upper Lake Cemetery, Upper Lake, Calif.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .