Jack Walter Pellington

Jack Walter Pellington, age 79, of Kinnelon, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Born on October 13, 1945, Jack was the beloved son of the late Robert Stokem and the late Lillian Murial (Courter) Pellington. He spent his early years forming the values and strength of character that would come to define his life. Jack served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. During the Vietnam War, Jack was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, where he served with the 1/77 th Artillery as a forward observer attached to the 2/12 th Cavalry Regiment. His bravery and sense of selfless duty often had Jack putting his own life at risk to safe the lives of his fellow soldiers. 

Jack was a member of the John A. Dean American Legion Post 154 and the George P. Siek VFW Post 8096. As such, he served as an active member of the color guard for decades, and was instrumental in the fundraising and designs of both the Vietnam War Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials in Butler and Bloomingdale. Jack was also an active member in the 1 st Cavalry Division Association from 1985 until his death. Jack was also a member of the Military Transportation Association where he enjoyed restoring antique military vehicles, participating in parades, and doing charity work in support of National Guard units and veterans’ organizations. Since 2009, Jack’s favorite charity was volunteering with Operation Toy Train which supports the Marines Toys for Tots program. As such, Jack was instrumental in developing and implementing the organization’s method of toy collection counting, recording, sorting, packing, and storing still in use by the organization today. 

Jack was a humble and honest man who always looked to find the good in others. He had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile. The virtues that defined his life were: do unto others, as you would have them, do unto you; a person is as good as their word; be a good neighbor to everyone you know; and do what you can to make your community a better place to live. He was a faithful husband, a loving and caring dad, and a warm and affectionate grandfather. 

Jack will be dearly missed by Charlene, his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, as well as his caring and loving children, John and Dawn, his faithful son-in-law Craig, his daughter-in-law Jamie, his blessed grandchildren Mackenzie, Jack, Johnathan, Reagan, and Walter, and his adorable great grandchildren, Olivia and Spencer. Jack was preceded in death by his brother Roben and will also be deeply missed by his siblings Diane and David, as well as his many nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during calling hours on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Morrison Etheridge FuneralHome Inc., 86 Bartholdi Ave., Butler, N.J. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Jack will be laid to rest following the service at Mount Rest Cemetery, Butler. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Jack’s favorite charity, Operation Toy Train.

Donations can be made at:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/dd876b0e-87de-403d-a4b2-a088370079c1

There is a checkbox after you choose the amount that will allow you to dedicate it to someone's memory.

If the preference is to donate by check via mail, the address is as follows:

Operation Toy Train

146 Hillside Drive

Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

Anyone having further questions about making donations to Operation Toy

Train should contact:

Carolyn Hoffman

(862) 763-0508