Jack Mabe, Assistant Principal at Johanna Boss High School, was remembered in August 3 memorial services as a dedicated friend, father and coworker. The 47-year-old Mabe passed away July 23 following a motorcycle accident.
Mabe began his career with the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) as a teacher at N.A. Chaderjian High School in 2015. He was promoted to Assistant Principal at Johanna Boss High School in March 2017.
According to friends and coworkers, he always had a smile on his face and was ready to do anything asked of him.
“Jack Mabe loved his Johanna Boss High School family and was a strong advocate for the education program,” according to a statement issued by DJJ Director Heather Bowlds. “Our sincere condolences go out to all who knew and cared for Jack. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
A memorial service was held August 3 in Rocklin, attended by hundreds of friends, family members and colleagues.
He was eulogized as a dedicated family man, beloved in a large blended family; an ardent tennis player and team captain at the Antelope Valley Tennis Association; a lover of Harley Davidson motorcycles and a fervent Raiders Nation member.
At work, he was viewed as a person who brought a positive “can do” spirit to DJJ.
“Jack was an ‘of the people, for the people, by the people’ type of guy,” said DJJ teacher Zachary Krula. “He was just a normal guy performing an extremely difficult job. There was no job too big or too small that Jack would not willingly do. Jack would serve as an administrator at a meeting, then clean floors, or empty trash. He was willing to do the jobs nobody else wanted to do. He did them with a smile on his face.”
Krula described Mabe’s upbeat personality and sense of humor as a balm in the serious world of educating and rehabilitating youth. “I feel lucky simply to have gotten the opportunity to know Jack and to work with him.”
Recently, Mabe organized high school graduation ceremonies for N.A. Chaderjian and Johanna Boss High School graduates, a successful event that allowed his natural enthusiasm to shine.
Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.